














-• 


« 



V 







II I 



cr 




THE DOCTRINES 


AND 

DISCIPLIIS^E 


OF THE 


1 


OLOREO METHODIST EPiSCOPAl CHJRCH 
IlN AMERICA. 


BYHALM-,. MISS. : 

PUBLISHED BY E'. COTTRELL, AGENT, 
For the Colored M. E. Church in- America. 

188 y.. 



As- 

\ 8&3 

COov-jj 


Entered, according tt \ct of CongresB, in the year 187lt 
By L. J. rfCtJBLOCK, Agent, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 








TO THE MEMBEKS OF THE COLORED METH 
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AMERICA. 


We esteem it our duty and privilege most earnestly to 
recommend to you, as members of our Cliurcli, our folm 
OF DisciPi-iNE, uliicli has been founded on the exjjerien.'e 
of n long series of years; as also on the observations and 
remarks we have riiade on ancient and modern Chinches. 

Weivislitosee this little publication in the house of 
every Methodist ; and the more so, as it contains the arti- 
cles of religion maintained more or less, in part or iu 
wliole, by every reformed Church in the vvorld. 

Far from wishing you to be ignorant of any of our doc- 
trines, or any part of our discipline, we desire you to read, 
mark, learn,* and inwardly digest the whole. *You ought, 
next to the word of God, 'to procure the articles and can- 
ons of the Church to which j-ou belong. 

We deem it proper, in this place, to give you a brief 
account of the organization of our Connection’: 

From the intromiction of Methodism, on this continent, 
we have ever constituted a part of the great Methodist 
family — first, as members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in America, and also after the change took place 
by which we were known as the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States; and when the division took 
place, in 1844*, which we regard as a legal and constitu- 
tional division of the Church, we formed a part of that 
division called the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
which relation we have continued to sustain until the 
organization of our Church took place at the General 
Conference held at Jackson, Tenn., which began its ses- 
sion liecember 1870, which day was spent in prayer 
and sufiplication to the Almighty that his blessings 
might rest upon us | and on the following day the regular 
business of the session began. Bishop Robert Paine, I).!)., 
of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, South, in the chair. 

The circumstances which led to our separate and dis- 
tinct organization were as follotvs : 

When the General Conference of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, Soutli. met in New Orleans, April, 1868, the 
Conference found tliat, by revolution and the fortunes of 
war, a change had taken place in our political and social 
relations, which made it necessary that a change should 

C3) 


4 


PREFACE, 


also be made in our ecclesiastical relations, and provlsicn 
was made for our organization into separate congregation'!, 
disti-icts, and Annual Conferences, if we desired it : and 
that when two or more Annual Conferences should he 
formed, if it was our wish, and met the approbation of the 
Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Clmrch, South, we 
should liave a General Conference organization lilie that 
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, and that our preachers should receive 
ordination .according to the regulations and requiremenla 
of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, South, as deacons 
and eldeis ; and should a General Conference he organized, 
and suitable men be elected to the office of Bishops, that 
the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
would ordain and set them apart as chief pastors among us. 

At the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cliurch, South, at Memphis, Tenn., Mav, 1870, it was 
found that five Annual Conferences had been formed 
among us, and that an almost universal desire had been 
expressed on our part that we might be organized into a 
separale and distinct Church, which was acquiesced in by 
the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South’, 
and recommended to said Conference in tlieir address ; 
whereupon, by our request, the Bishops of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, together w’ith A. L. P. Green, 
Samuel Watson, Edmund W. Sehon, Thomas Whitehead. 
R. J. Morgan, and Thomas Taylor, were appointed by said 
Conference to aid in organizing our General Conference at 
the time and place above specified ; and at the succeeding 
sessions of our Annual ConlerenceSj delegates were elected 
to attend our General Conference, in accordance with the 
Discipline of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, South. 

It was farther determined by the acts of the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
l.Sfifi, that should the time arrive when we should be 
formed into a separate and distinct organization, that all 
the property which was intended for the use and benefit 
of people of color, held by the trustees of the Methodist 
Epi-scopal Church, South, should be transferred to t”u.s- 
'ees appointed by us, to be held forever for our use and 
benefit. 

It will be seen from the facts in the case that our record 
IS clear, and that we have descended regularly from the 
>ery father of Methodism, and that our organization is 
both legal and constitutional. 

We remain your very aflectionate brethren and pastom, 
who labor night and day, both in public and in private, 
for your gcod. 

\ViLi,iA.M H. Miles, Lucius H. Holset, 

.lo.SEPU A. Bebee. Isaac Lane. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. 

ARTICLES OF RELIGION AND GENERAL RULES. 

PAoa 

Sec. 1. Articles of Religion 9 

Sec. 2. The General Rules 26 

CHAPTER II. 

THE CONFERENCES. 

Pec. 1. Of the General Conference 82 

Sec. 2. Of the Annual Confei-enees 38 

Sec. 3. Of the District Conferences 47 

Sec. 4. Of the C^uarterly Conferences 50 

Sec. 5. Of the Church Conferences 55 

CHAPTER III. 

ministers and church-officers. 

Sec. 1. Of the trial of those who think they are 

moved by the Holy Ghost to preach 59 

Sec. 2. Of the Election and Consecration of 

Bishops, and of their Duty €0 

Sec. 3. Of Presiding Elders €6 

Sec. 4. Of Preachers in charge of Circuits, Sta- 

tion.s, or Missions 70 

Sec. 5. Of Admitting Preachers on Trial 74 

Sec. 6. Of Admitting Preachers into Full Con- 
nection 75 

Ssc. 7. Of Traveling Deacons 79 

Sec. 8. Of Traveling Elders 81 


6 


CONTENTS. 


PAGa 

Sec. 9 Of Supernumerary Preachers 83 

Sec. 10. Of Superannuated Preachers 84 

Sec. 11. Of Local Preachers 84 

Sec. 12. Of Receiving Ministers from other 

Churches 89 

Sec. 13. Of Exhorters 92 

Sec. 14. Of Class-leaders 94 

Sec. 15. Of Stewards 96 

Sec. 16. Of Trustees 101 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. 

Sec. 1. Of Receiving Members into the Church 103 
Sec. 2. Of the Children of the Church 104 

CHAPTER V. 

THE MEANS OP GRACE. 

Sec. 1. Of Public Worship 106 

Sec. 2. Of Prayer-meetings 109 

Sec. 3. Of Love-feasts 110 

Sec. 4. Of Class-meetings Ill 

Sec. 5. Of Sunday-schools 113 

CHAPTER VI. 

ADMINISTRATION OF DISCIPLINE. 

Sec. 1. Trial of a Bishop 115 

Sec. 2. Trial of a Traveling Preacher 117 

Sec. 3. Trial of a Probationer 124 

Sec. 4. Trial of a Local Preacher 125 

Sec. 6. Trial of a Member 129 

CHAPTER VII. 

OF APPEALS. 

Sec. 1. Appeal of a Traveling Preacher 136 

Sec. 2. Appeal of a Local Preacher 138 

Sec 3 Appeal of a Member 140 


I 


CONTENTS. 7 


CHAPTER VIII. 

OF THE DEPRIVATION AND RESTORATION OF CREDENTIALS. 

PAQK 

Sec. 1. Credentials of Traveling Elders or Dea- 
cons 142 

Sec. 2. Credentials of Local Elders or Dea- 
cons 143 


CHAPTER IX. 

OF THE SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY. 


Sec. 1. Support of Preachers on Circuits and 

Stations 144 

Sec. 2. Support of Presiding Elders 145 

Sec. 3. Support of Bishops 146 

Sec. 4. Support of those not otherwise pro- 
vided for 148 

Sec. 5. Of the Joint Board of Finance 149 

CHAPTER X. 

CHURCHES AND CHURCH-PROPERTY. 

Sec. 1. Of Building Churches 153 

Sec. 2. Of Building Parsonages 156 

Sec. 3. Of Securing Churches and Parsonages.. 15T 
Sec. 4. Of the Division, Transfer or Sale of 
Church-property ICO 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE RITUAL. 


Sec. 1. The Order for the Administration of the 

Lord’s Supper 163 

Sec. 2. The Ministration of Baptism to Infants. 177 

Sec. 3. The Ministration of Baptism to Such as 

are of Riper Years 182 

Sec. 4. Form of the Reception and Recogni- 
tion of Church-member.s 191 

Sec. 5. The Form of Solemnization Of Matri- 
mony 197 


8, CONTENTS. 

PAGR 

Sec. 6. The Order of the Burial of the Dead 202 

Sec. 7. Form of Laying tlie Corner-stone of a 

Church 213 

Sec. 8. Form of the Dedication of a Churcli 220 

Sec. 9. The Form and Manner of Ordaining 

Deacons 227 

Sec. 10. The Form and Manner of Ordaining 

Elders 235 

Sec. 11. The Form of Consecrating a Bishop. .. 252 


§ffttnues aiiir §istiplhu. 


. CHAPTER I. 

AETICLES OF EELIGION AFD GENEEAL EULES. 

SECTION I. 

AETICLES OF RELIGION. 

I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity. 

There is but one living and true 
God, everlasting, without body or parts ; 
of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; 
the maker and preserver of all things, 
both visible and invisible. And in 
unity of this Godhead, there are three 
persons of one substance, power, and 
eternity — the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost. 

(^) 


10 AKTICLES or RELIGION. [Ch. 1. 

II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who 
was made very Man. 

The Son, who is the Word of the 
Father, the very and eternal God, of 
one substance with the Father, took 
man’s nature in the womb of the blessed 
Virgin ; so that two whole and perfect 
natures — that is to say, the Godhead 
and manhood — were joined together in 
one person, never to be divided, whereof 
is one Christ, very God and very man, 
who truly suffered, was crucified, dead 
and buried, to reconcile his Father to 
us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for 
original guilt, but also for actual sins 
of men. 

III. Of the Resurrection of Christ. 

Christ did truly rise again from the 
dead, and took again his body, with 
ail things appertaining to the perfec- 
tion of man’s nature, wherewith he as- 


Sec. 1.] AETICLES OF EELIGIOir. 11 

cencled into heaven, and there sitteth 
until he return to judge all men at the 
last day. 

IV. Of the Holy Ghost. 

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from 
the Father and the Son, is of one sub- 
stance, majesty, and glory, with the 
Father and the Son, very and eternal 
God. 

V. The Sufficiency of the Holy Script- 
ures for Salvation. 

The Holy Scriptures contain all 
things necessary to salvation ; so that 
whatsoever is not read therein, nor 
may be proved thereby, is not to be 
required of any man, that it should be 
believed as an article of faith, or be 
thought requisite or necessary to sal- 
vation. In the name of the Holy 
Scripture, we do understand those ca- 
nonical books of the Old and Now 


12 


ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Oh. 1. 


Testament, of whose authority was 
never any doubt in the Church. 

The Names of the Canonical Boohs. 

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Num- 
bers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 
Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The 
Second Book of Samuel, The First 
Book of Kings, The Second Book of 
Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, 
The Second Book of Chronicles, The 
Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehe- 
miah. The Book of Esther, The Book 
of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, 
Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, Cantica, 
or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets 
the greater. Twelve Prophets the less. 
All the books of the New Testament, 
as they are commonly received, we do 
receive and account canonical. 

VI. Of the Old Testament. 

The Old Testament is not contrary 


Sec. 1 .] ARTICLES of religion. 13 

to the Kew ; for both in the Old and 
New Testament everlasting life is ob 
lered to mankind by Christ, who is 
the only Mediator between God and 
man, being God and man. Wherefore 
they are not to be heard who feign 
that the old fathers did look only for 
transitory promises. Although the law 
given from God by Moses, as touching 
ceremonies and rites, doth not bind 
Christians, nor ought the civil pre- 
cepts thereof of necessity to be received 
in any Commonwealth, yet, notwith- 
standing, no Christian whatsoever is 
free from the obedience of the com- 
mandments which are called moral. 

VII. Of Original or Birth-Sin. 

Original Sin standeth not in the fol- 
lowing of Adam, (as the Pelagians do 
vainly talk,) but it is the corruption 
of the nature of every man, that natU' 


!4 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Ch. 1. 

rally is engendered of the offspring of 
Adam, whereby man is very far gone 
from original righteousness, and of his 
own nature inclined to evil, and that 
continually. 

VIII. Of Free-Will. 

The condition of man after the fall 
of Adam is such, that he cannot turn 
and prepare himself, by his own natu- 
ral strength and works, to faith, and 
calling upon God ; wherefore we have 
no power to do good works, pleasant 
and acceptable to God, without the 
grace of God by Christ preventing us, 
that we may have a good will, and 
working with us, when we have that 
good will. 

IX. Of the Justification of Man. 

"We are accounted righteous before 
God, only for the merit of our Lord 


Sec. 1.] ARTICLES or REL’!'aio». 13 

and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and 
not for our own works or deservings : 
wherefore, that we are justified by 
faith only, is a most wholesome doc- 
trine, and very full of comfort. 

X. Of Good Works. 

Although good works, which are 
the fruits of faith, and follow after 
justification, cannot put away our 
sins, and endure the severity of God’s 
judgment ; yet are they pleasing and 
acceptable to God in Christ, and spring 
out of a true and lively faith, inso- 
much that by them a lively faith may 
be as evidently known, as a tree dis- 
cerned by its fruit. 

XI. Of Works of Supererogation. 

Voluntary works, besides over and 
above God’s commandments, which are 
called works of supererogation, cannot 


!6 ARTICLES OF RELIGIOET. [CH. L 

be taught without arrogancy and im- 
piety. For by them men do declare 
that they do not only render unto God 
as much as they are bound to do, but 
that they do more for his sake than 
of bounden duty is required : whereas 
Christ saith plainly, When ye have 
done all that is commanded you, say, 
We are unprofitable servants. 

XII. Of Sin after Justification. 

Not every sin willingly committed 
after justification, is the sin against 
the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. 
A\^herefore. the grant of repentance is 
not to be denied to such as fall into 
sin after justification : after we have 
received the Holy Ghost, we may de- 
part from grace given, and fall into 
sin, and, by the grace of God, rise 
again and amend our lives. And, 
therefore, they are to be condemned 


Sec. 1.] ARTICLES OF EELIGIOir. 


17 


«vho say they can no more sin as long 
as they live here, or deny the place 
of forgiveness to such as truly repent. 

XIII. Of the Church, 

The visible Church of Christ is a 
congregation of faithful men, in which 
the pure word of God is preached, and 
the sacraments duly administered, ac- 
cording to Christ’s ordinance, in all 
those things that of necessity are re- 
quisite to the same. 

XIV. Of Purgatory, 

The Komish doctrine concerning 
purgatory, pardons, worshiping and 
adoration, as well of images as of 
relics, and also invocation of saints, is 
a fond thing, vainly invented, and 
grounded upon no warrant of Scrip- 
ture, but repugnant to the word of 
God. 

2 


18 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Ch. 1. 

XV. Of speaking hv the Congregation 
in such a Tongue as the people under- 
stand. 

It is a thing plainly repugnant to 
the word of God, and the custom of 
the Primitive Church, to have public 
prayer in the church, or to minister 
the sacraments, in a tongue not under- 
stood by the people. 

XVI. Of the Sacraments. 

Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are 
•lot only badges or tokens of Christian 
men’s profession, but laOiCr they are 
certain signs of grace, and God’s good 
will toward us, by the ivhich he doth 
work invisibly in us, and doth not 
only quicken, but also strengthen and 
confirm our faith in him. 

There are two sacraments ordained 
of Christ our Lord in the Gospel ; that 


BiiC. 1.] AETICLE3 OF EELIGIOK. 


19 


is to say, Baptism, and tlie Supper of 
the Lord. 

Those five, commonly called sacra- 
ments — that is to say. Confirmation, 
Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Ex- 
treme Unction — are not to be counted 
for sacraments of the Gospel, being 
such as have partly grown out of the 
corrupt following of the apostles, and 
partly are states of life allowed in the 
Scriptures, but yet have not the like 
nature of Baptism and the Lord’s 
Supper, because they have not any 
visible sign or ceremony ordained of 
God. 

The sacraments were not ordained 
of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be 
carried about; but that we should 
duly use them. And in such only as 
worthily receive the same, they have 
a wholesome effect or operation ; but 
they that receive them unworthily pur- 


20 ARTICLES OF RELKilOJr. [CH. 1. 

chase to themselves condemnation, aa 
St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29. 

XVII. Of Baptism, 

Baptism is not only a sign of pro- 
fession, and mark of difference, where- 
by Christians are distinguished from 
others that are not baptized ; but it is 
also a sign of regeneration, or the new 
birth. The baptism of young children 
is to be retained in the Church. 

XVIII. Of the Lord’s Supper. 

The Supper of the Lord is not only 
a sign of the love that Christians 
ought to have among themselves one 
to another, but rather is a sacrament 
of our redemption by Christ’s death : 
insomuch that, to such as rightly, wor- 
thily, and -with faith receive the same, 
the bread which we break is a par- 
taking of the body of Christ; and 


Sec. 1.] ARTICLES OF RELiaiON. 


21 


likewise the cup of blessing is a par- 
taking of the blood of Christ. 

Transubstantiation, or the change of 
the substance of bread and wine in the 
Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved 
by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the 
plain words of Scripture, overthroweth 
the nature of a sacrament, and hath 
given occasion to many superstitions. 

The body of Christ is given, taken, 
and eaten in the Supper, only after a 
heavenly and spiritual manner. And 
the means whereby the body of Christ 
is received and eaten in the Supper, is 
faith. 

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper 
was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, 
carried about, lifted up, or worshiped. 

XIX. Of Both Kinds, 

The cup of the Lord is not to ba 
denied to the lay people ; for both the 


22 


ARTICLES OF EELIGIOII, [Ch. 1 


parts of the Lord’s Supper, by Christ’s 
ordinance and commandment, ought 
to be administered to all Christians 
alike. 

XX. Of the One Oblation of ChrisU 
finished xipon the Gross. 

The offering of Christ once made, is 
that perfect redemption, propitiation, 
and satisfaction for all the sins of the 
whole world, both original and actual; 
and there is none other satisfaction for 
sin but that alone. Wherefore the sac- 
rifice of masses, in the which it is com- 
monly said that the priest doth offer 
Christ for the quick and the dead, to 
have remission of pain or guilt, is a 
blasphemous fable and dangerous de- 
ceit. 

XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers. 

The ministers of Christ are not com- 


Sec. 1.] ARTICLES of eeligiof. 


23 


manded by God’s law either to vow 
the estate of single life, or to abstain 
from marriage; therefore it is lawful 
for them, as for all other Christians, 
to marry at their own discretion, as 
they shall judge the same to serve best 
to godliness. 

XXII. Of the Hites and Ceremonies 
of Churches. 

It is not necessary that rites and 
ceremonies should in all place? be the 
same, or exactly alike ; for they have 
been always different, and may be 
changed according to the diversity of 
countries, times, and men’s manners, 
so that nothing be ordained against 
God’s word. Whosoever, throngdi his 
private judgment, willingly and pur- 
posely, doth openly break the rites 
and ceremonies of the Church to which 
he belongs, which are not repuf*Aant 


24 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Ch. 1. 

to the word of God, and are ordained 
and approved by common authority, 
ought to be rebuked openly, that others 
may fear to do the like,, as one that 
oifendeth against the common order of 
the Church, and woundeth the con- 
sciences of weak brethren. 

Every particular Church may or- 
dain, change, or abolish rites and cere- 
monies, so that all things may be done 
to edification. 

XXIII. Of the Eulers of the United 
States of America. 

The president, the congress, the gen- 
eral assemblies, the governors, and the 
councils of state, as the delegates of 
ihepeojAe, are the rulers of the United 
States of America, according to the 
division of power made to them by the 
constitution of the United States, and 
by the constitution of their respective 


SkC. 1.] ARTICLES OF EELIGTOH. 25 

States. And the said States are a 
sovereign and independent nation, and 
ought not to be subject to any foreign 
jurisdiction.* 

XXIV. Of Christian Men^s Goods. 

The riches and goods of Christians 
are not common, as touching the right, 
title, and possession of the same, as 
some do falsely boast. Notwithstand- 
ing, every man ought, of such things 
as he possesseth, liberally to give alms 
to the poor according to his ability. 

*As far as it respects civil affairs, we be- 
lieve it the duty of Christians, and especially 
all Christian ministers, to be subject to the 
supreme authority of the country where 
they may reside, and to use all laudable 
means to enjoin obedience to the powers 
that be ; and, therefore, it is expected that 
all our preachers and people, who may be 
under any foreign government, will behave 
themselves as peaceable and orderly subjects. 


26 TH.E GENERAL RULES. [CH. 1 

XXV. Of a Christian Man^s Oath. 

As we confess that vain and rash 
swearing is forbidden Christian men 
by our Lord Jesus Christ and James 
his apostle, so we judge that the Chris- 
tian religion doth not prohibit, but 
that a man may swear when the magis- 
trate requireth, in a cause of faith 
and charity, so it be done according to 
the proi)het’s teaching, in justice, judg- 
ment, and truth. 


SECTION II. 

THE GENERAL RULES. 

The General Rules of “The United 
Societies” organized by Mr. Wesley in 
1739, are as follows : 

There is only one condition pre- 
viously required of those who desire 
admission into these societies, a “de- 


Sec. 2.J the geheeal kules. 2^ 

sire to flee from the wrath to come, 
and to be saved from their sins.” But 
wherever this is really fixed in the 
soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It 
is therefore expected of all who con- 
tinue therein, that they should con- 
tinue to evidence their desire of sal- 
vation. 

First, by doing no harm, by avoid- 
ing evil of every kind, especially that 
which is most generally practiced : 
such as. 

The taking of the name of God in 
vain ; 

The profaning the day of the Lord, 
either by doing ordinary work therein, 
or by buying or selling ; 

Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous 
liquors unless in cases of necessity; 

Fighting, quarreling, brawling, broth- 
er going to law with brother ; returning 
evil for evil, or railing for railing; 


THE GENERAL RULES. 


28 


[Ch. 1. 


tlie using many words in buying or 
selling; 

The buying or selling goods that have 
not paid the didy ; 

The giving or taking things on usury, 
i. e., unlawful interest ; 

Uncharitable or unprofitable conver- 
sation, particularly speaking evil of 
magistrates or of ministers ; 

Doing to others as we would not 
they should do unto us ; 

Doing what we know is not for the 
glory of God : as, 

The putting on of gold and costly 
apparel; 

The taking such diversions as cannot 
be used in the name of the Lord Jesus; 

The singing those songs, or reading 
those books, wdiich do not tend to the 
knowledge or love of God ; 

Softness or needless self-indulgence ; 

Laying up treasure upon earth ; 


SeO. 2.] THE GENERAL RULES. 


29 


Borrowing without a probability of 
paying, or taking up goods without a 
probability of paying for them. 

It is expected of all who continue in 
these societies, that they should continue 
to evidence their desire of salvation. 

Secondly, by doing good, by being 
in every kind merciful after their 
power, as they have opportunity, doing 
good of every possible sort, and, as far 
as possible, to all men : 

To their bodies, of the abiiity which 
God giveth, by giving food to the hun- 
gry, by clothing the naked, by visit- 
ing or helping them that are sick or 
in prison ; 

To their souls, by instructing, re- 
proving, or exhorting all Ave have any 
intercourse with ; trampling under foot 
that enthusiastic doctrine, that “we 
are not to do good unless our hearts he 
free to it” 


30 


THE GENERAL RULE5. 


[Ch. L 


By doing good, especially to them 
that are of the household of faith, or 
groaning so to be; employing them 
preferably to others, buying one of 
another, helping each other in busi- 
ness; and so much the more because 
the world will love its own, and them 
only. 

By all possible diligence and frugal- 
ity, that the gospel be not blamed. 

By running with patience the race 
which is set before denying them- 
selves, and talcing up their cross daily ; 
submitting to bear the reproach of 
Christ, to be as the filth and offscour- 
ing of the world ; and looking that 
men should say all manner of evil of 
them falsely for the Lord^s sake. 

It is expected of all who desire to 
continue in these societies, that they 
should continue to evidence their de- 
sire of salvation, 


Sec. 2.] the general rules. Si 

Thirdly, by attending upon all the 
ordinances of God : such are, 

The public worship of God ; 

The ministry of the word, eithei 
read or expounded ; 

The Supper of the Lord ; 

Family and private prayer; 

Searching the Scriptures, and 

Fasting or abstinence. 

Tliese are the General Rules of our 
societies ; all which we are taught of 
God to observe, even in his written 
word, which is the only rule, and the 
sufficient rule, both of our faith and 
practice. And all these we know his 
Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. 
If there be any among us who observe 
them not, who habitually break any 
of them, let it be known unto them 
who watch over that soul, as they who 
must give an account. We will ad- 
monish him of the error of his ways: 


32 


THE COXEEREXCES. 


[Cn. 2. 


we will bear with him for a season ; 
but if then he repent not, he hath no 
more place among us: "we have de- 
livered our own souls. 


CHAPTER II. 

THE COITFERENCES. 

SECTION I. 

OP THE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 

Ques. 1. Who shall compose the 
General Conference, and what are the 
regulations and powers belonging to it : 

Ans. 1. The General Conference shall 
be composed of one clerical member 
for every twenty-eight members of each 
Annual Conference, and one lay mem- 
ber (who may be a local preacher) for 
each Annual Conference, to be ap- 
pointed as follow's; 


Sec. 1.] GENERAL CONFERENCE, 


33 


The clerical representatives shall be 
elected by the clerical members of 
the Annual Conference : provided that 
such representatives shall have trav- 
eled at least four calendar years from 
the time that they were received on 
trial, and are in full connection at the 
time of holding the Conference. The 
lay representatives shall be elected by 
the lay members of the Annual Con- 
ference: provided that such represent- 
atives be twenty-five years of age, and 
shall have been members of the Church 
for at least six years at the time of 
holding the Conference. 

2. An Annual Conference, entitled 
under the second Restrictive Rule to 
two ministerial delegates, sha.ll not be 
denied the privilege of two lay dele- 
gates also. 

3. The ministers and laymen shall de- 
liberate in one body ; but upon a call of 

3 


54 


THE CONFERENCES 


[CH. 2. 


one-fifth of the members of the Con- 
ference, the lay and clerical members 
shall vote separately, and no measure 
shall be passed without the concurrence 
of a majority of both classes of repre- 
s(mtatives. 

4. The General Conference shall 
meet in the month of July or August, 
once in four years perpetually, in such 
place or places as shall be fixed on by 
the General Conference from time to 
time. 

5. The Bishops, or a majority of all 
the Annual Conferences, shall have 
authority to call a General Confer- 
ence, if they judge it necessary, at any 
time. 

6. When a General Conference is 
called, it shall be constituted of the 
delegates elected to the preceding Gen- 
eral Conference, except when an An- 
nual Conference shall prefer to have a 


Sec. l.J {1E5EEAL CONFERENCE. 35 

new election. The place of holding a 
called session of the General Confer- 
ence shall be that fixed on by the pre- 
ceding General Conference. 

7. The Bishops shall have authority, 
when they judge it necessary, to change 
the place appointed for the meeting of 
the General Conference. 

8. At all times when the General 
C/Onference is met, it shall take a ma- 
jority of the representatives of all the 
Annual Conferences to make a quorum 
for transacting business. 

9. One of the general superintend- 
ents shall preside in the General Con- 
ference ; but in case no general super- 
intendent be present, the General Con- 
ference shall choose a president pro 
tcm. 

10. The General Conference shall 
Iiave full powers to make rules and 
regulations for our Church, under the 


56 THE CONFERENCES. [Ch 2. 

following limitations and restrictions, 

viz. : 

(1) The General Conference shall i/ol 
revoke, alter, or change our Articles 
of Religion, or establish any new 
standards or rule of doctrine con- 
trary to our present existing and es- 
tablished standards of doctrine. 

(2) They shall not allow of more than 
one representative for every fourteen 
members of the Annual Conference, 
nor allow of a less number than one 
for every thirty : provided, neverthe- 
less, that when there shall be in any 
Annual Conference a fraction of two- 
thirds the number which shall be 
fixed for the ratio of representation, 
such Annual Conference shall be en- 
titled to an additional delegate for 
such fraction ; and provided, also, 
that no Conference shall be denied 
the privilege of two delegates. 


Sec. 1.] GEKERAL CONF^REXCE. 


37 


C3) They shall not change or alter any 
part or rule of our government, so 
as to do away episcopacy, or destroy 
the plan of our itinerant general 
superintendency. 

(4) They shall not revoke or change 
the General Kules of the United So- 
cieties. 

(5) They shall not do away tlie privi- 
leges of our ministers or preachers 
of trial by a committee, a‘nd of an 
appeal ; neither shall they do away 
the privileges of our members of 
trial before the Church, or by a 
committee, and of an appeal. 

Provided, nevertheless, that upon the con- 
current recommendation of three-fourths of 
all the members of the several Annual Con- 
ferences, who shall be present and vote on 
such recommendation, then a majority of 
two-thirds of the General Conference suc- 
ceeding shall suffice to alter any of the above 
restrictions, excepting the first article; and 


/ 


38 


THE CONFERENCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


also, whenever such alteration or alterations 
shall have been first recommended by two- 
thirds of the General Conference, so soon as 
three-fourths of the members of all the Annual 
Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, 
such alteration or alterations shall take effect. 

Provided, that when any rule or regulation 
is adopted by the General Conference, which, 
in the opinion of the Bishops, is unconstitu- 
tional, the Bishops may present to the Con- 
ference which passed said rule or regulation, 
their objections thereto, with their reasons, 
in writing; and if then the General Confer- 
ence shall, by a two-thirds vote, adhere to 
its action on said rule or regulation, it shall 
then take the course prescribed for altering 
a restrictive rule, and if thus passed upon 
affirmatively, the Bishops shall announce 
that such rule or regulation takes effect from 
that time. 

SECTION II. 

OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 
Ques. 1. Who shall compose an An- 
nnal Conference, and what are the 


Sec. 2.] annual conferences. Si 

regulations and powers belonging to 
it ? 

Ans. 1. All the traveling preachers 
in full connection with it, and four lay 
representatives — one of whom may be 
a local preacher — from each Presiding 
Elder’s District. 

2. The lay members shall be chosen 
annually by the District Conferences : 
provided that no one shall be a repre- 
sentative who is not twenty-five years 
of age, and who has not been for six 
years, next preceding his election, a 
member of the Church. 

3. The lay members shall partici 
pate in all the business of the Confer- 
ence, except such as involves minis- 
terial character. 

4. It shall be the duty of all the 
members of the Conference to attend 
its sessions, unless providentially hin- 
dered. All the preachers on trial, and 


40 


THE COKFEKEXCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


those to be admitted on trial, shall 
also attend the sessions, but they shall 
not vote on any question, nor speak 
unless by consent of the Conference. 

Ques. 2. Who shall determine the 
number and boundaries of the Annual 
Conferences ? 

Ans. The General Conference. 

Ques. 3. AVho shall appoint the times 
of holding the Annual Conferences? 

Ans. The Bishops ; but they shall 
allow every Annual Conference to sit 
a week at least. 

Ques. 4. Who shall appoint the 
places of holding the Annual Confer- 
ences ? 

A 71 S. Each Annual Conference shall 
appoint the place of its own sitting; 
but should it become necessary from 
any unforeseen cause to change the 
place after it has been fixed by the 
Conference, a majority of the Presid- 


Sec, 2,] AN^"UAL C0^'FEEENCE3. iZ 

ing Elders, ■with the consent of the 
Bishop ’vvho is to preside, shall have 
power to make such change. 

Ques. 5. Who shall preside in the 
Annual Conferences? 

Ans. The Bishops. In the absence 
of a Bishop, the Conference shall elect 
the president by ballot, without debate, 
from among the traveling elders. The 
president thus elected shall discharge 
all the duties of a Bishop except ordi- 
nation. 

Ques. 6. What is the method of 
proceeding in an Annual Conference ? 

Ans. The following questions shall 
be asked : 

1. Who are admitted on trial ? 

2. AYho remain on trial ? 

S. Who are discontinued ? 

4. Who are admitted into full con- 
nection ? 

5. Who are readmitted ? 


42 THE CONFEREiTCES. [€u. Z 

6. Who are received by transfer 
from other Conferences ? 

7. Who are the' deacons of one 
year ? 

8. What traveling preachers are 
elected deacons? 

9. What traveling preachers are 
ordained deacons? 

10. What local preachers are elected 
deacons ? 

11. What local preachers are or- 
dained deacons? 

12. What traveling preachers are 
elected elders? 

13. AVliat traveling preachers are 
ordained elders? 

14. What local preachers are elected 
elders? 

15. What local preachers are or- 
dained elders ? 

16. Who are located this year? 

17. Who are supernumerary? 


Sec. 2.J annual conferences. 43 

18. Who are superannuated? 

19. What preachers have died dur- 
ing the past year ? 

20. Are all the preachers blameless 
in their life and official administration ? 

21. What is the number of local 
preachers and members in the several 
circuits, stations, and missions of the 
Conference ? 

22. How many infants have been 
baptized during the year? 

23. How many adults have been 
baptized during the year? 

24. AVhat is the number of Sunday- 
schools? 

25. What is the number of Sunday- 
school teachers? 

26. What is the number of Sunday- 
school scholars? 

27. What amount is neces.sary for 
the superannuated preachers and the 
widows and orphans of preachers? 


44 


THE CONFERENCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


28. What has been collected on the 
foregoing account, and how has it been 
applied ? 

29. What has been contributed for 
Missions? 

oO. Where shall the next session of 
the Conference be held? 

31. Where are the preaehers sta- 
tioned this year? 

Ques. 7. What method is recom- 
mended in the examination of the life 
and official administration of the 
preachers? 

Ans. 1. Let none be present except 
members of the Conference, and others 
who may be in attendance on Confer- 
ence business, unless the Conference by 
vote shall order otherwise. 

2. Let the name of every preacher 
be called, and let his Presiding Elder, 
or some other member of the Confer- 
ence, state whether or not there be any 


Sec. 2.] 


ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 


45 


complaint against him. If there be 
none, he may retire, and the Confer- 
ence may make farther inquiry con- 
cerning him, and pass his character 
without vote. 

3. If there be a complaint, and the 
preacher have been advised of it, let it 
be stated to the Conference, and let 
the accused have the privilege of reply- 
ing. He shall then retire, and the 
Conference shall determine by vote 
whether or not his character shall 
pass. 

4. If a trial be necessary, it shall 
be conducted according to the pro- 
visions of Chap. VI., Sec. 2. 

5. The names of any who may be 
expelled or suspended, or who may 
have withdrawn from the Church, 
shall be stated in the minutes. 

Ques. 8. Wliat other business shall 
be done in the Annual Conferences? 


46 


THE CONFEEEHCES. 


[Ch. 2 


Ans. 1. Let every Annual Confer- 
ence inquire into the state and charac- 
ter of all the institutions of learning 
that may be under its care, and the 
best means of promoting their inter- 
ests, and, if necessary, of increasing 
their number. 

2. Let every Annual Conference 
take account of all the church-build- 
ings, parsonages, and other Church- 
property within its bounds, and see 
that the same be legally secured to the 
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church 
in America, according to the provisions 
af the Discipline. 

3. Let every Annual Conference ap- 
point committees of examination upon 
the Course of Study prescribed by the 
Bishops for candidates for the minis- 
try. The examining committees shall 
hold their office for four years. 

4. Let every Annual Conference 


Sec. 3.] district oonferences. 


47 


have a record of its proceedings, kept 
by a secretary chosen for that pur- 
pose : said record shall be signed by 
the President and the Secretary, and 
a copy of the same be sent to the Gen- 
eral Conference, at its next ensuing 
session. 

5. The Secretary of each Annual 
Conference shall forward to the Editor 
of the Christian Index, or Book Agent 
full and correct answers to the fore- 
going thirty-one questions, for inser- 
tion in the General Minutes, according 
to the form therein adopted. 


SECTION III. 

OF THE DISTRICT CONFERENCES. 

Ques. 1. What directions are given 
concerning District Conferences ? 

Ans. 1. There shall be held annually, 


48 


THE CONFERENCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


in each Presiding Elder’s District, a 
District Conference. The time shall 
Ih'. fixed by the Presiding Elder, and 
the place by the Conference. 

2. The District Conference shall be 
composed of all the preachers in the 
District, both traveling and local, and 
of laymen, the number of whom, and 
their mode of appointment, each An- 
nual Conference may determine for it- 
self. 

3. A Bishop, or, in his absence, the 
Presiding Elder, shall preside ; and if 
both be absent, the Conference shall 
elect a president. 

4. The Conference shall elect a sec- 
retary, who shall keep a record of all 
its proceedings. 

5. It shall be the duty of the Con- 
ference to inquire particularly into the 
condition of the several charges in the 
District: 


Sec. 3.] district coNFEREiicEs. 49 

(1) As to their spiritual state, and 
the attendance upon the ordinances and 
social meetings of the Church. 

(2) As to missions within the Dis- 
trict, where new ones should be estab- 
lished, or what missions should be 
raised to circuits or stations. 

(3) As to Sunday-schools, and the 
manner of conducting them, and as to 
education generally. 

(4) As to their financial systems, 
their contributions to Church-purposes, 
and the condition of houses of worship 
and parsonages. 

6. The District Conference shall elect 
annually, by ballot, from the District, 
four delegates to the ensuing Annual 
Conference: provided, no member of 
the Annual Conference shall vote in 
said election. 

7. At these Conferences prominence 
shall be given to religious exercises, 

4 


50 


THE COI7FEREKCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


such as preaching, prayer-meetings, love 
leasts, and the administration of the sac- 
raments. 


SECTION IV. 

OF THE QUARTERLY CONFEREIsCES. 

Qiies. 1. Who shall compose a Quar- 
terly Conference? 

Ans. All the traveling and local 
preachers, exhorters, stewards, and 
class-leaders of the respective circuits, 
stations, and missions, together with the 
superintendents of Sunday-schools who 
are members of the Church, and secreta- 
ries of Church Conferences, and none 
else. 

Ques. 2. When and -where shall each 
Quarterly Conference meet ? 

Ans. Four times a year, at such places 
as the Conference may appoint, and at 
such times as the Presiding Elder may 
designate. 

Ques. 3, Who shall preside in a Quar- 
terly Conference? 

Ans. The Presiding Elder, or, in his 
absence, the preacher in charge. 


Sec. 4.] quarterly conferences. 


61 


Ques. 4. What is the regular businesf 
of a Quarterly Conference ? 

Ans. 1. To receive and try appeals, and 
to hear complaints. 

2. To superintend the interests of 
Sunday-schools and the instruction of 
children. 

3. To take cognizance of all the local 
preachers and exhorters in the circuit, 
station, or mission, and to inquire annu- 
ally into the gifts, labors, and usefulness 
of each by name. 

4. To try, suspend, expel, or acquit any 
local preacher in the circuit, station, or 
mission, against whom charges may be 
brought. 

5. To license proper persons to preach 
and to exhort; and to renew their li- 
censes annually, when, in its judgment, 
their gifts, grace, and usefulness will war- 
rant the renewal. All votes to license 
preachers shall be taken by ballot. 

6. To recommend suitable candidates 
to the Annual Conference for deacon’s 
or elder’s orders in the local connection, 
and for admission on trial or reiidmission 
into the traveling connection: provided, 


52 


THE CONFERENCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


that no person shall be recommended to 
the Annual Conference for admission on 
trial, or for ordination, without first being 
examined in the Quarterly Conference 
on the subject of doctrines and disci- 
pline, and giving satisfactory evidence 
of his ability to read the word of God. 
All votes to recommend preachers for 
admission on trial, or reiidmission into 
the traveling connection, or for deacon’s 
or elder’s orders, shall be taken by ballot. 

7. To elect trustees and stewards, ac- 
cording to the Discipline, for the circuit, 
station, or mission ; and of the stewards, 
10 appoint one a Recording and one a 
District Steward. 

8. To see that all its proceedings be 
faithfully recorded, by a secretary chosen 
for the purpose, in a book to be kept by 
the Recording Steward; the records of 
each session being signed by the Presi- 
dent and the Secretary. 

Ques. 5. What order of business shall be 
observed in the Quarterly Conferences? 

Ans. After religious service, let the roll 
be called, and the following inquiries be 
made : 


Sec. 4.] quaeterly conferences. 


53 


1st. Are there any appeals? 

2d. Are there any complaints? 

3d. Is there a written report, from the 
preacher in charge, of the number and 
state of Sunday-schools? 

4th. Is there a report from the preacher 
in charge of the number and state of the 
Church ? [Let this report embrace the 
number of those baptized, or in any other 
way received into the Church, and of 
those who have died, removed, with- 
drawn, or have been expelled, during 
the past quarter.] 

5th. What were the estimated claims, 
and what the final settlement of the 
same, in the charge, during the past 
year? [1.] 

6th. What amount has been estimated 
by the Board of Stewards for the sup- 
jjort of the preacher in charge, and his 
assistant, for the present year? [1 or 2.] 

7th. What amounts have been appor- 
tioned this charge by the District Stew- 
ards for the Presiding Elder, and by the 
Joint Board of Finance for Bishops and 
Conference claimants? [1 or 2.] 

8th. What amount has been raised the 


64 


THE CONFERENCES, [Ch. 2 


past quarter for the support of the min- 
istry, and how has it been applied ? [Let 
the answer to this question embrace only 
the sum raised and paid on the claim of 
the Presiding Elder and the preacher.] 

9th. What has been raised the present 
quarter for other enterprises ? 

10th. Are there any applications (1) 
for license to preach ? (2) for license to 
exhort? 

11th. Who are elected to fill vacancies 
in the Board of Trustees ? 

12th. What is doing for the cause of 
missions ? 

13th. What is doing for the cause of 
education? [2.] 

14th. Have the General Eules been 
read? [3.] 

15th. Is there a Church Eegister be- 
longing to this charge? and has it been 
faithfully kept ? [3.] 

16th. Have the local preachers and 
exhorters passed an examination of char- 
acter? and have their licenses been re- 
newed ? [3 or 4.] 

17th. Are there any applications for 
recommendation to the Annual Confer- 


Sec. 5.] church conferences. 


55 


ence to be admitted on trial into the trav- 
eling connection, or for readmission? [4.] 
18th. What local preachers are recom- 
mended to the Annual Conference for 
ordination ? [4.] 

19th. Who are elected stewards for 
the ensuing Conference-year ? [4.] 

20th. Who is elected Recording Stew- 
ard ? [4.] 

21st. Who is elected District Steward ? 
22d. Who are elected Sunday-school 
superintendents ? [4.J 

23d. Are there any reports from the 
trustees of Church-property ? [4.] 

24th. What are the statistics to be re- 
ported to the Annual Conference ? [4.] 
25th. Is there any miscellaneous busi- 
ness ? 

26th. Where shall the next Quarterly 
Conference be held ? 


SECTION V. 

OF THE CHURCH CONFERENCES. 

Ques. What directions are given con- 
cerning Church Conferences? 


56 


THE CXJNFEEENCES. 


[Ch. 2. 


Ans. 1. All the members of the 
Church, and resident members of the 
Annual Conference, shall come to- 
gether once a month, or on circuits at 
least every three months, at every ap- 
pointment, to hold a Church Confer- 
ence, over which the preacher in charge 
shall preside. It may be held at any 
time most convenient for assembling 
the greatest number of members ; but 
if on the Sabbath, it should not inter- 
fere with the morning public worship. 

2. A secretary shall be elected an- 
nually, at the first meeting after the 
session of the Annual Conference. 
He shall make a record of the pro- 
ceedings, and shall keep in a book, 
and return to the Quarterly Confer- 
ence, all the statistics which the Dis- 
cipline requires to be reported to an 
Annual Conference. 

3. The roll of members shall be 


SEO. 5.J CHURCH CONFERENCES. 57 

called at every meeting, unless other- 
•vise ordered, and the Conference may 
ttrike off the names of any who, on 
iccount of removal or other cause, 
lave been lost sight of for twelve 
months : provided, however, that if such 
member appears and claims member- 
ship, he may be restored by a vote of 
tlie meeting. 

4. The following is suggested as tlie 
general order of business : 

I. Receive reports — 

1st. From the preachers, of their 
labors since the last meeting. 

2d. From the class-leaders. 

3d. From the Sunday-schools. 

4th. From the steward or stewards 
of that Church. 

II. The Conference shall inquire — 

1st. What is doing for the relief of 

the poor of the Church ? 

2d. Is the Church here doing its 


THE COirrEREITCES. 


[Ch.2. 


ft8 

duty for the cause of missions and 
other Church enterprises, and for the 
collections ordered by the Annual Con- 
ference ? 

3d. Is our religious literature circu- 
lated and read ? 

4th. Can the Church extend its 
work by establishing additional prayer- 
meetings, Sunday-schools, or in any 
other way ? 

5th. Can any thing more be done to 
strengthen and build up the Church 
in the community, and to advance the 
cause of Christ ? 

5. If the observance of this order 
of business is likely to protract the 
session beyond a reasonable limit, the 
president may, from time to time, se- 
lect the most important matters and 
bring them forward. 

6. Let the Church Conference be 
opened and closed with religious ser- 


B£C. 1.] 


CHUKCH OFFICEES. 


59 


vice, and conducted in a devout and 
pra^'erful spirit. 


CHAPTER III. 

MINISTERS AND CHURCH OFFICERS. 

SECTION I. 

OF THE TRIAL OF THOSE WHO THINK 

THEY ARE MOVED BY THE HOLY 

GHOST TO PREACH. 

Ques. 1. How shall we try those who 
profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost 
to preach ? 

Ans. Let the following questions be 
asked, namely : 

1. Do they know God as a pardon- 
ing God ? Have they the love of God 
abiding in them ? Do they desire notli- 
ing but God ? And are they holy in 
all manner of conversation? 

2. Have they gifts ^ as well as grace) 


60 


BISHOPS. 


[Ch. 3 


for the work? Have they (in some 
tolerable degree) a clear, sound under- 
standing, a right judgment in the things 
of God, a just conception of salvation 
by hiith ? Do they speak justly, read- 
ily, clearly? 

3. Have they fruit? Are any truly 
convinced of sin and converted to God 
by their preaching? 

As long as these three marks con- 
cur in any one, we believe he is called 
of God to preach. These we receive 
as sufficient proof that he is moved' by 
the Holy Ghost. 


SECTION II. 

OF THE ELECTION AND CONSECRATION 
OF BISHOPS, AND OF THEIR DUTY. 

Ques. 1. How is a Bishop to be com 
Btituted ? 


Sec. 2.] 


BISHOPS. 


61 


Ans. By the election of the General 
Conference, and the laying on of the 
liands of three Bishops, or at least of 
one Bishop and two elders. 

Ques. 2. If by death, expulsion, or 
otherwise, there be no Bishop remain- 
ing in our Church, what shall we do? 

Ans. The General Conference shall 
elect a Bishop ; and the elders, or any 
three of them, who shall be appointed 
by the General Conference for that 
purpose, shall ordain him according to 
our form of ordination. 

Qnes. 3. What are the duties of a 
Bishop ? 

Ans. 1. To preside in the General 
and Annual Conferences. 

2. To fix the appointments of the 
preachers in the Annual Conferences; 
providedj he shall not allow any 
preacher to remain in the same cir- 
cuit or station more than four ydara 


62 


BISHOPS. 


[Cs. 3. 


successively ; except the Book Agents 
and Editors authorized by the Gen- 
eral Conference, the Secretary of the 
Missionary Board, the supernumerary 
and superannuated preachers, mission- 
aries among the Indians and on foreign 
stations, chaplains to State-prisons and 
military posts, those preachers that 
may be appointed to labor for the es- 
pecial benefit of seamen and for the 
American Bible Society, and the presi- 
dents, principals, or teachers of semi- 
naries of learning, which are or may 
be under our superintendence; and, 
also, when requested by an Annual 
Conference, to appoint a preacher for 
a longer time than two years to any 
seminary of learning not under our 
care. He shall have authority, when 
requested by an Annual Conference, to 
appoint an agent, whose duty it shall 
be to travel throughout the bounds 


•Sec. 2.] 


BISHOPS. 


63 


of such Conference for the purpose 
of establishing and aiding Sabbath- 
schools, and distributing tracts, and 
also to appoint an agent or agents 
for the benefit of our literary institu- 
tions. 

3. To choose the Presiding Elders, 
fix their stations, and change them 
rvhen he judges it necessary : provided 
he shall not allow any elder to preside 
in the same District more than four 
years successively. 

4. To change, receive, and suspend 
preachers in the intervals of the Con- 
ferences, as necessity may require, and 
as the Discipline directs. 

5. To ordain Bishops, elders, and 
deacons; and to see that the names 
of the persons ordained by him be 
entered on the journals of the Confer- 
ence. 

6. To decide all questions of law 


64 


BISHOPS. 


[Ch. 5. 


coming before him in the regular busi- 
ness of an Annual Conference: 
such questions be presented in writing, 
and with his decisions be recorded on 
the journals of the Conference. When 
the Bishop shall have decided a ques- 
tion of law, the Conference shall have 
the right to determine how far the law 
thus decided or interpreted is applica- 
ble to the case then pending. An An- 
nual Conference shall have a right to 
appeal from such decision to the Col- 
lege of Bishops, whose decision in such 
cases shall be final. And no Episco- 
pal decision shall be authoritative ex- 
cept in the case pending, nor shall any 
such be published, until it shall have 
been approved by the College of Bish- 
ops. And each Bishop shall report in 
writing to the Episcopal College, at an 
annual meeting to be held by them, 
■ueh decisions as he has made, subso* 


Sec. 2.] 


BliHOPS. 


65 


quently to the last preceding meeting ; 
and all such decisions, when approved 
by the College of Bishops, shall be re- 
corded in a permanent form, and pub- 
lished in such manner as the Bishops 
shall agree to adopt; and when so ap- 
proved, recorded, and published, they 
shall be authoritative interpretations 
or constructions of the law. 

7. To hear and decide appeals of 
the Quarterly Conferences on questions 
of law, when he shall be presiding in 
any Annual Conference ; and the ques- 
tion contained in the appeal, together 
with the Bishop’s decision, shall be re- 
corded on the journal of the Annual 
Conference. 

8. To see that the Districts be formed 
according to his judgment: provided 
that no District shall contain more 
than eighteen appointments. 

9. To unite two or more circuits, 

3 


66 


PRESIDING ELDERS. 


[Ce. 3. 


stations, or missions together, for Quar- 
terly Conference purposes, allowing the 
financial interests and pastoral duties 
of each to remain separate and inde- 
pendent ; and to divide a circuit, sta- 
tion, or mission into two or more, when 
he judges it necessary. 

10. To travel during the year, as 
far as practicable, through the Presid- 
ing Elders’ Districts which may be 
included in his Episcopal District, in 
order to preach and to oversee the 
spiritual and temporal affairs of the 
Church. 


SECTION III. 

OF PRESIDING ELDERS. 

Qiies. 1. What are the duties of a 
Presiding Elder? 


Sec. 3.] peesiding elders. 


67 


Ans. 1. To travel through his ap- 
pointed District, in order to preach 
and to oversee the spiritual and tem- 
poral affiiirs of the Church. 

2. In the absence of the Bishop, to 
take charge of all the traveling and 
local preachers, and exhorters, in his 
District. 

3. To change, receive, and suspend 
preachers in his District during the in- 
tervals of the Conferences, and in the 
absence of the Bishop, as the Discipline 
directs. 

4. To be present, as far as practicable, 
at all the quarterly meetings, and call 
together the members of the Quarterly 
Conference, over which he shall also 
preside. 

5. To decide all questions of law 
which may come up in the regular busi- 
ness of the Quarterly Conference, when 
submitted to him in writing, subject to 


68 


PKESIDIXG ELDERS. 


[Ch. 3. 


an appeal to the President of the next 
Annual Conference; but in all cases 
the application of law shall be with the 
Quarterly Conference, which shall re- 
cord in its journal all such questions 
and decisions. 

6. To take care that every part of 
the Discipline be enforced in his Dis- 
trict ; to promote, by all proper means, 
the cause of missions and Sunday- 
schools, and the publication, at our 
own press, of tracts and Sunday-school 
books; to inquire carefully at each 
Quarterly Conference, whether the 
rules respecting the instruction of 
cliildren have been faithfully observed ; 
and to report to the Annual Conference 
the names of all delinquent traveling 
preachers within his District. 

7. To attend the Bishops when 
present in his District; and to give 
them, when absent, all necessary infer- 


Sec. 3.] 


PRE3IDI>'G ELDERS. 


69 


mation, by letter, of the state of his 
District. 

8. To direct the candidates for the 
ministry to those studies recommended 
for them by the Bishops. 

9. To procure at the fourth Quarterly 
Conference full statistics from every 
charge, to be reported at the Annual 
Conference, in case the preacher in 
charge fail to make his report. 

10. If any preacher absent himself 
from his circuit, the Presiding Elder 
shall, as far as possible, fill his place 
with another preacher. 

Ques. 2. Shall the Presiding Elder 
have power to employ a preacher who 
has been rejected at the previous An- 
nual Conference? 

Am. He shall not, unless the Con- 
ference should give him liberty under 
certain conditions. 


70 


PEEACHEKS IN CHAKGE. [Ch. 3 


SECTION IV. 

OF PREACHERS IN CHARGE OF CIR« 
CUITS, STATIONS, OR MISSIONS. 

Ques. What are the duties of a 
preacher who has the charge of a cir- 
cuit, station, or mission. 

Am. 1. To receive, try, and expel 
members, according to the provisions 
of the Discipline. 

2. To appoint all the leaders, and 
change them when he sees it necessary. 

3. To see that all the ordinances and 
regulations of the Church be duly ob- 
served, and that the General Rules be 
read at least once a year in every con- 
gregation. 

4. To see that a fast be held in every 
congregation within his charge on the 
Friday preceding every quarterly meet- 
ing, and that suitable services be held 
on the occasion, wherever practicable. 


71 


Sec. 4.] peeachees in chaeqe. 

5. To hold Quarterly Conferences in 
the absence of tlie Presiding Elder. 

6. To hold a meeting of the leaders 
and stewards of his charge once a 
W’eek, if practicable, to receive their 
reports. 

7. To report at each Quarterly Con- 
ference the names of all who have been 
received into the Church, and of all 
who have died, removed, withdrawn, 
or been excluded from it, during the 
preceding quarter, and give a statement 
of the general condition of his station, 
circuit, or mission. 

8. To give an account of his charge 
every quarter to his Presiding Elder. 

9. To see that all the people with- 
in the bounds of his charge be duly 
supplied with our books and periodi- 
cals. 

10. To keep a directory, in which 
the residences of all tlie members shall 


72 


PREACHERS IN CHARGE. [Ch. S. 


be noted, wherever it may be necessary 
to facilitate pastoral visitation. 

11. To leave his successor a particu- 
lar account of his charge, including 
an account of the subscribers for our 
periodicals. 

12. To see that a permanent record 
be kept of all the baptisms and mar- 
riages within the bounds of his charge. 

13. To see that a register be kept, in 
which shall be noted the names, with 
the time and manner of the reception 
and disposal of every person belonging 
to the Church in his station, circuit, or 
mission, distinguishing between local 
elders, deacons, and preachers, and 
private members ; and to report to the 
Annual Conference the number of each 
that may be under his charge at the 
time of its session. 

14. To promote all the interests of 
the Missionary Board and the Tract 


Sec. 4.] preachees in charge. 


73 


Society of our Church, in such \vay 
as the Discipline or the Annual Con- 
ference may designate ; and to report 
to the Conference the amount raised 
during the year -within the bounds of 
his charge for these several interests. 

15. To report at each session of the 
Quarterly Conference the number and 
state of the Sunday-schools ; and an- 
nually to the Quarterly and Annual 
Conferences, for insertion in their re- 
spective journals, the number of Sun 
day-schools, scholars, teachers, super- 
intendents, and Sunday-school library 
books, in his circuit, station, or mis- 
sion. 

16. To furnish every one removing 
from his charge with a certificate; in 
the following form: 

“The bearer hereof, A. B., has been 
an acceptable member of the ( blored 
Methodist Episcopal Church ii> Amer- 


74 


AD.MfmNU rREACHEKS. [Ch. 3. 

ica, in C. Station (circuit or mission), 
D. Conference.” 

17. Preachers sliall bring the record 
of their Churches to the District Confer- 
ences for inspection by the Conferences. 

SECTION V. 

OF ADMITTING PRi:ACHERS ON TRIAD. 

Ques. How is a preacher to be ad 
mitted on trial into the traveling con- 
nection ? 

Am. 1. By the Annual Conference. 
In the interval of the Conference, he 
may be received and employed in the 
work by a Bishop, or the Presiding 
Elder of the District, until the sitting 
of the Conference. 

2. No one shall be admitted on 
trial unless he first procure a recom- 
mendation from the Quarterly Confer- 
ence of his circuit, station, or mission ; 
nor shall a vote be taken upon the ad- 
mission of any candidate who shall 


Sec. 6.] ikaveling preachers. 


75 


not have passed an approved examina- 
tion upon the Course of Study prescribed 
by the Bishops, before a committee ap- 
pointed by the Conference for the i)ur- 
pose. 

3. The Annual Conference may then 
admit him as a probationer, by a vote 
of the majority. Observe! — taking 
on trial is entirely diflerent from ad- 
mitting a preacher into full connection. 
One on trial may be either admitted or 
rejected, without doing him any wrong ; 
otherwise it would be no trial at all. 


SECTION VI. 

OF ADMITTING PREACHERS INTO FULL 
CONNECTION. 

Ques, 1. Who shall be admitted 
into the Conference in full connection ? 
A 71 S. 1. No one except a preacher 


76 TRAVELIN’G PEEACHEES. [Ck. 3- 

who has been employed two successive 
years in the regular itinerant work, 
(which is to commence from his being 
admitted on trial at the Annual Con- 
ference,) and who is approved by the 
Annual Conference. 

2. Before any preacher is admitted 
into full connection, he shall have 
passed an approved examination upon 
the Course of Study prescribed by the 
Bishops for candidates for the min- 
istry; and in no case shall a vote be 
taken to admit any one until he is 
recommended by the examining com- 
mittee. 

3. A missionary employed on a for- 
eign mission may be admitted into full 
connection, if recommended by the su- 
perintendent of the mission where he 
labors, without being present at the 
Annual Conference for examination. 

Ques. 2. What method do we use in 


t>EC. 6.] TRAVELING PREACHERS- 


77 


admitting a preacher into full con- 
nection at the Conference ? 

Ans. After solemn fasting and prayer, 
every person proposed shall then be 
asked, before the . Conference, the fol- 
lowing questions, (with any others 
which may be thought necessary,) 
namely : Have you faith in Christ ? 
Are you going on to perfection ? Are 
you groaning after it? Are you re- 
solved to devote yourself wholly to 
God and his work ? Are you wil- 
ling to conform to the discipline of 
the Church ? Will you diligently in- 
struct the children in every place? 
Will you visit from house to house ? 
Will you recommend fasting, or alj- 
stinence, both by precept and exam- 
ple ? 

Will you especially observe the fol- 
lowing directions ? — 

1. Be diligent. Never be unera- 


78 TRAVELING PREACHERS. ICh. 'i 

ployed. Never be triflingly employed. 
Never trifle away time ; neither spend 
any more time at any place than is 
strictly necessary. 

2. Be punctual. Do every thing 
exactly at the time. And do not 
mend our rules, but keep them; not 
for wrath, but conscience’ sake. 

3. Act in all things not according to 
your own will, but as a son in the gos- 
pel. It is therefore your duty to em- 
ploy your time in the manner which 
we direct: in preaching, meeting the 
classes, visiting from house to house, 
and especially visiting the sick ; in 
reading, meditation, and prayer. Above 
all, if you labor with us in the Lord’s 
vineyard, it is needful you should do 
that part of the work which we advise, 
at those times and places which yve 
judge most for his glory. 

If he give satisfactory answers to 


Sec. 7.] traveling deacons. 


79 


these questions, the Conference, by a 
vote of the majority, may admit him 
into full connection. 


SECTION VII. 

OF TRAVELING DEACONS. 

Qlies. 1. How is a deacon consti- 
tuted ? 

Ans. 1. By the election of a major- 
ity of the Annual Conference, and the 
laying on of the hands of a Bishop. 

2. Before any traveling preacher is 
ordained deacon, he shall have passed 
an approved examination upon the 
Course of Study prescribed by the Bish- 
ops for candidates for the ministry ; 
and in no case shall a vote be taken to 
elect any one to deacon’s orders until 
he is recommended by the examining 
committee. 


80 TRAVELING DEACONS. [Ch. 3. 

Ques. 2. What shall be the time of 
probation of a traveling preacher for 
the office of a deacon ? 

No one shall be so elected and 
ordained who has not been one year in 
the regular itinerant work, except such 
as may be selected by the Bishop for 
the missionary work, when the Annual 
Conference shall have authority to 
elect to the deacon’s office sooner, if 
the Conference judge it expedient. 

Ques. 3. What are the duties of a 
traveling deacon ? 

Ans. 1. To administer baptism and 
to perform the office of matrimony, in 
the absence of the elder. 

2. To assist the elder in administer- 
ing the Lord’s Supper. 

3. To do all the duties of a travel- 
ing preacher. 


Sec. 8.] 


TBAVELING ELI>EKS. 


81 


SECTION VIII. 

OF TRAVELING ELDERS. 

Ques. 1. How is an elder consti- 
tuted ? 

Ans. 1. By the election of a major- 
ity of the Annual Conference, and the 
laying on of the hands of a Bishop and 
some of the elders that are present. 

2. Before any traveling preacher is 
ordained elder, he shall have passed an 
approved examination upon the Course 
of Study prescribed by the Bishops for 
candidates for the ministry; and in no 
case shall a vote be taken to elect any 
one to elder’s orders until he is recom- 
mended by the examining committee. 

Ques. 2. What shall be the time of 
probation of a traveling deacon for the 
office of an elder ? 

Ans. Every traveling deacon shall 
exercise that office for two years, before 


82 


TEAVELING ELDEES. 


[Ch. 3. 


he be eligible to the office of elder; ex- 
cept in the case of missionaries, when 
the Annual Conference shall have au- 
thority to elect to the elder’s office 
sooner, if the Conference judge it ex- 
pedient. 

Provided always, that when a preach- 
er has passed his examination, and 
been elected to deacon’s orders, but 
fails of his ordination through the ab- 
sence of the Bishop, his eligibility to 
the office of elder shall run from the time 
of his election to the office of deacon. 

Ques. 3. AVhat are the duties of a 
traveling elder ? 

Arts. 1. To administer baptism and 
the Lord’s Supper, and to perform the 
office of matrimony, and all parts of 
Divine worship. 

2. To do all the duties of a traveling 
preacher. 


Sec. 9.] supeenumerary preachers 


83 


SECTION IX. 

OF SUPERNUMERARY PREACHERS. 

Ques. What is a supernumerary 
preacher ? 

Ans. 1. A supernumerary preach* 
er is one who is so disabled by afflic* 
tion as to be unable to preach con- 
stantly, but is willing to do any work 
in the ministry which the Bishop may 
direct, and he may be able to perform. 

2. A supernumerary preacher who 
refuses to attend to the work assigned 
him, unless in case of sickness or other 
unavoidable cause or causes, shall not 
be allowed to exercise the functions of 
his office, nor even to preach among us ; 
nevertheless, the final determination of 
the case shall be with the Annual Con- 
ference of which he is a member, which 
shall have power to acquit, suspend, 
locate, or expel him, as the case may be. 


84 


LOCAL PREACHERS. 


[Ch. 3. 


SECTION X. 

OF SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS. 

Ques. What is a superannuated 
preacher ? 

Ans. 1. A superannuated preacher 
is one who is worn out in the itinerant 
service. 

2. A superannuated preacher, living 
out of the bounds of the Conference of 
which he is a member, shall be held 
responsible to the Annual Conference 
within whose bounds he may reside, 
which shall have power to try, acquit, 
suspend, or expel him, in the same man- 
ner as if he were a member of said Con- 
ference. 


SECTION XL 
OF LOCAL PREACHERS. 

Ques. 1. What directions are given 


Sec. 11 .] 


LOCAL PREACHEES. 


85 


concerning the licensing of persons to 
preach ? 

Ans. 1. The Quarterly Conference 
shall have authority to license proper 
persons to preach, and to renew their 
licenses annually, when, in its judg- 
ment, their gifts, grace, and usefulness 
will warrant it. 

2. Ko person shall be licensed to 
preach without the recommendation of 
the Church of which he is a member, 
or of the leaders’ meeting of the charge 
to which he belongs. Nor shall any 
one be licensed to preach without first 
being examined in the Quarterly Con- 
ference on the subject of doctrines and 
discipline, and giving satisfactory evi- 
dence of his ability to read the 
word of God ; nor shall any license 
be valid unless signed by the Pres- 
ident and Secretary of the Confer- 


ence. 


LOCAL PREACHEES. 


[Ck S. 


Ques. 2. What shall be the time of 
probation of a local preacher for the 
olBce of a deacon ? 

Atis. a local preacher shall be eligi- 
ble to the office of a deacon after he 
has preached four years from the time 
he received a regular license, and has 
obtained a recommendation from the 
Quarterly Conference, on a proper ex- 
amination, signed by the President and 
the Secretary, and after his character 
has passed in examination before, and 
he has obtained the approbation of, the 
Annual Conference. 

Ques. 3. What shall be the time of 
probation of a local deacon for the of- 
fice of an elder ? 

Ans. A local deacon shall be eligi- 
ble to the office of an elder after he has 
preached four years from the time he 
was ordained a deacon, and has ob- 
tained a recommendation from the Quar- 


Sec. 11.] LOCAL pkeachees. S7 

terly Conference, on a proper exam- 
ination, certifying his qualifications in 
doctrine, discipline, talents, and useful- 
ness, signed by the President and the 
Secretary. He shall present to the An- 
nual Conference such recommendation, 
with a note certifying his belief in the 
doctrine and discipline of our Church 
— the whole being examined by the 
Annual Conference : and if approved, 
he may be ordained. 

Ques. 4. What farther directions are 
given concerning local preachers ? 

Ans. 1. It shall be the duty of local 
preachers to aid the preacher in charge 
of the circuit, station, or mission to 
which they belong, in supplying the 
people with the ministry of the word. 
They shall accordingly be applied to 
by the preacher in charge, as soon as 
he enters on his work, to state what 
amount of service they are able and wil- 


58 


LOCAL IREACHERS. 


[Ch. 3. 


ling to perform ; he may then draw up 
a plan by which their labors shall be 
regulated ; and they shall be authorized 
to form new congregations, to take a 
list of the names of ail candidates for 
Church-membership, and, if expedient, 
receive them into the Church : pro- 
vided, that all such congregations, candi- 
dates, and members be reported, as soon 
as possible, to the preacher in charge, 
in order that they may be placed im- 
mediately under his pastoral care. 

2. Every local elder, deacon, and li- 
centiate shall have his name recorded 
on the journal of the Quarterly Con- 
ference of which he is a member. 

3. When any traveling preacher is 
located, he shall be amenable to the 
Quarterly Conference of the charge 
last filled by him, until he presents 
his certificate of location to some other 
Quarterly Conference. 


Sec. 12,] eeceiving ministers. 89 

4. AVhen a local elder, deacon, or li- 
centiate removes from one circuit, sta- 
tion, or mission, to another, he shall pro- 
cure from the Presiding Elder of the 
District, or from the preacher having 
charge, a certificate of his official stand- 
ing in the Church at the time of his 
removal; without which he shall not 
be received as a local preacher in other 
places. 


SECTION XII. 

OF RECEIVING MINISTERS FROM 
OTHER CHURCHES. 

Ques. 1. How shall we receive those 
ministers who may offer to unite with 
U 3 from other Christian Churches ? 

Ans. 1. Ministers of othef Churches 
who may desire to unite with us as 
local preachers, may be received by a 
Quarterly Conference, upon giving sat- 


?0 EECEIVING MINISTERS [Ch. 3. 

isfaction that they are suitable per> 
sons ; but they shall not exercise the 
peculiar functions of deacons or elders 
until their orders are recogniz^ed by the 
Annual Conference : 

Provided^ that the Bishop may, at his 
discretion, allow ministers thus received 
to exercise their functions as deacons 
or elders until the session of the Annual 
Conference. 

2. After such reception, and a rec- 
ommendation by the Quarterly Con- 
ference, the Annual Conference, if sat- 
isfied of their being in orders, and of 
their agreement with us in doctrine and 
discipline, and also of their gifts, grace, 
and usefulness, may recognize them ac- 
cordingly, without the reimposition of 
hands, on condition of their takine: 
upon them our ordination vows. If they 
cannot attend the Annual Conference, 
they shall send up a certified subscrip- 


Sec. 12.] from other churches, 91 

tion to our doctrines and discipline, 
and to our ordination vows. 

3. Ministers of other Churches, duly 
accredited as deacons or elders, who 
may desire to unite with us as travel- 
ing preachers, may be admitted as dea- 
cons or elders into full connection by 
an Annual Conference: provided, the 
Conference is satisfied with their gifts, 
grace, and usefulness, and their agree- 
ment with us in doctrine and disci- 
pline, on condition of their taking upon 
them our ordination vows, without the 
reimposition of hands. 

4. When a minister has been re- 
ceived and recognized in orders, he 
shall be furnished with a certificate, 
signed by one of our Bishops, in the 
following words, viz.: 

This is to certify that has 

been admitted into Conference 

as a traveling preacher, [or has been 


92 


EXHOETERS 


lCh. 3. 


received as a local preacher on — — 
Circuit,] he having been ordained to 
the office of a deacon, [or an elder, as 
the case may be,] according to the 

usages of the Church, of which 

he has been a member and minister ; 
and he is hereby authorized to exer- 
cise the functions pertaining to his of- 
fice in the Colored Methodist Episcopal 
Church in America, so long as his life 
and conversation are such as become 
the gospel of Christ. 

Given under my hryid and seal, at 

this day of in the 

year of our Lord . 


SECTION XIII. 

OF EXIIORTEKS. 

(^xies. 1. What directions are given 
concerning the licensing of persons to 
exhort ? 


Sec. 13.] 


EXHORTEES. 


93 


Ans. 1. The Quarterly Conference 
shall have authority to license proper 
persons to exhort, and to renew their 
licenses annually, when, in its judg- 
ment, their gifts, grace, and usefulness 
will warrant it. 

2. No person shall be licensed to 
exhort without the recommendation of 
the Church of which he is a member, 
or of the leaders’ meeting of the 
charge to which he belongs ; nor shall 
any license be valid unless signed by 
the President of the Conference. 

Ques. 2. What are the duties of an 
exhorter ? 

Ans. To hold meetings for prayer 
and exhortation whenever opportunity 
is afforded, subject to the direction of 
the preacher in charge. 

Ques. 3. What farther directions are 
given concerning exhorters ? 

Ans. 1. Let every exhorter diligently 


94 


CLASS-LEADERS. 


[Ch. 3. 


exercise the functions of liis office, 
without assuming those of a preacher. 

2. Every exhorter, by virtue of his 
office, shall be a member of the Quar- 
terly Conference of the charge to 
which he belongs ; but in all other re- 
spects he shall be dealt with as a pri- 
\rate member of the Church. 

3. When an exhorter removes from 
^ne circuit, station, or mission to an- 
other, he shall not be recognized as 
such unless he obtain a certificate of 
his official character from the Presiding 
Eld^r of the District, or the preacher 
to whose charge he belongs at the time 
of his removal. 


SECTION XIV. 

OF CLASS-LEADERS. 

Ques. 1. How are the class- leadera 
tc De appointed ? 


Sec. 14.] 


CLASS -LEADEItS. 


95 


Alls. By the preacher in charge, 
who shall appoint one person in each 
class to be the leader thereof. 

Ques. 2. What are the regulations 
concerning the class-leaders? 

Ans. 1. Let them be men of sound 
judgment and truly devoted to God. 

2. Let every one of them be care- 
fully examined by the preacher in 
charge, at least once a quarter, con- 
cerning his method of leading his class. 

3. It is the leader’s duty — 

(1) To see each person in his class 
once a w^eek, at least, in order to in- 
quire how their souls prosper ; to advise, 
reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion 
may require ; to receive what they are 
willing to give toward the relief of the 
preachers. Church, and poor. * 

* This part refers to towns and cities where 
the poor are generally numerous and Church- 
expenses considerable. 


96 


STEWARDS. 


[Ch. 3. 


(2) To meet the ministers and the 
stewards of the society once a w'eek, in 
order — 

To inform the minister of any that 
are sick, or of any that walk disor- 
derly and will not be reproved. 

To pay the stewards what they ha ve 
received of their several classes in the 
week preceding. 


SECTION XV. 

OF STEWAIIDS. 

Ques. 1. How are the stewards to 
be appointed? 

A 71 S. The preacher in charge shall 
have the right of nomination, subject 
to the confirmation or rejection of the 
Qnarterly Conference. 

Ques. 2. What are the regulations 
concerning the stewards? 


Sec. Ifc] 


STEWARDS. 


97 


Alls. 1. Let the stewards l)e men of 
solid piety, who both know and love the 
I\Iethodist doctrine and discipline, and 
of good natural and acquired abilities 
to transact the temporal business of the 
Church. 

2. It shall be the duty of the stew- 
ards to make estimates of expenses and 
provision for the support of the gospel ; 
to take an exact account of all the 
money, or other provision collected for 
the support of the ministry ; to make 
an accurate return of every expendi- 
ture of money, whether for the support 
of the ministry, or the relief of the 
sick, or the poor; to seek the needy and 
distressed in order to relieve and com- 
fort them : to inform the preachers of 
any sick or disorderly persons ; to tell 
the preachers what they think wrong 
in them ; to attend the official meet- 
ings and the quarterly meetings; to 
7 


98 


STEWARDS. 


[Ch. 3. 


give advice, if asked, in planning the 
circuit; to attend committees for the 
application of money to churches ; to 
give counsel in matters of ar])itra- 
tion ; to provide elements for the 
Lord’s Supper; to appoint some one, 
whenever necessary, to receive contri- 
butions for the support of the ministry 
and other purposes, and to obtain from 
eacli collector thus appointed the money 
received by him, that it may be re- 
ported to the Quarterly Conference ; to 
take up collections quarterly in every 
congregation, if it be necessary, and 
to write circular letters to the societies 
to be more liberal, if need be; as also 
to let them know, when occasion re- 
quires, the financial state of the Church, 
as reported at the Quarterly Confer- 
ence. 

3. The stewards of each circuit and 
station shall be a standing committee 


Sec. 15.] 


STEWAIIDS. 


99 


(where there is no parsonage) to pro- 
vide houses for the families of married 
preachers, or to assist the preachers to 
obtain houses for themselves when they 
are appointed to labor among them. 

Ques. 3. To whom are the stewards 
accountable for the faithful perform- 
ance of their duties? 

Ans. To the Quarterly Conference, 
which shall have the power to remove 
them from office. 

Ques. 4. What shall be the number 
of stewards in each circuit or station? 

Am. 1. Every pastoral charge shall 
be entitled to one steward for every 
thirty members, to be elected annually : 
provided^ nevertheless, that each society 
in a circuit may have one steward, and 
each circuit or station may have at 
least seven. 

2. When two or more circuits or 
stations are united, the stewards shall 


STEWAEDS. 


100 


[Cn 3. 


hold office till the first Quarterly Con- 
ference elects a new Board. 

Ques. 5. What are the duties of a 
Recording Steward? 

Alls. To preserve the records of the 
Quarterly Conference, and to report to 
the Joint Board of Finance of the 
Annual Conference a full account of 
the acts of his Board of Stewards the 
preceding year. 

Ques. 6. What are the duties of a 
District Steward? 

Ans. To attend the District Stew- 
ards’ meeting for the purpose of esti- 
mating the salary ahd traveling ex- 
penses of the Presiding Elder, and to 
apportion the amount among the several 
charges in the District, and to report 
the same to his Quarterly Conference. 


Sec. 16 .] 


TKUSTEES. 


101 


SECTION XVI. 

OF TRUSTEES. 

Ques. 1. How are the trustees to 
be appointed? 

Ans. Except where the laws of the 
State or Territory provide differently, 
the preacher in charge, or, in his ab- 
sence, the Presiding Elder, shall have 
the right of nomination, subject to the 
confirmation or rejection of the Quar- 
terly Conference. 

Quea. 2. What are the regulations 
concerning the trustees? 

Ans. 1. Ho person shall be eligible 
as a trustee of any of our parsonages 
or churches who is not a member of 
our Church, and at least twenty-one 
years of age. 

2. All vacancies in the Board of 
Trustees, occasioned by death, resign a 


TRUSTEES. 


102 


[Ch. 3. 


tion, or otherwise, shall be filled with- 
out delay. 

3. Let nine trustees be appointed for 
holding Church-property, when proper 
persons can be procured ; otherwise sev- 
en, five, or three, who shall elect their 
own chairman, secretary, and treasurer. 

4. The Board or Boards of Trust- 
ees of every circuit, station, or mission, 
shall be responsible to the Quarterly 
Conference of the same, which shall 
have power to dismiss any of them 
from ofiice ; and shall be required to 
present a report of their acts, at least 
once a year, to the Quarterly Confer- 
ence. 

5. No person who is a trustee shall 
be ejected while he is in joint security 
for money, unless such relief be given 
him as is demanded, or the creditor 
will accept. 


Sec. 1.] RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 


103 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. 

SECTION I. 

OF RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO THE 
CHURCH. 

Ques. How shall members be re- 
ceived into the Church? 

Ans. 1. When persons offer them- 
selves for Church-membership, let the 
preacher in charge inquire into their 
spiritual condition, and receive them 
into the Church when they have given 
satisfactory assurances of their desire 
to flee from the wrath to come, and to 
be saved from their sins; and also, of 
the genuineness of their faith, and of 
their willingness to keep the rules of 
the Church. 


104 


CHILDEEN OF THE CHURCH. [Ch. 4. 


2. When satisfied on these p'oints, 
let the minister bring the candidates 
before the congregation, whenever prac- 
ticable, and receive them according to 
the prescribed Form. 

3. If a member in good standing in 
any other Church .shall desire to unite 
with us, such applicant may, by giving 
satisfactory answers to the usual in- 
quiries, be received without these 
formalities. 


SECTION II. 

OF THE CIIILDEEN OF THE CHUKCTI. 

Ques. What directions are given 
concerning the children of the Church? 

Ans. 1. Let the minister diligently 
instruct and exhort all parents to 
dedicate their children to the Lord in 
baptism as early as convenient. 

2. In his pastoral visitations let him 


Sec. 2.] childeen of the chuech. 105 

pay special attention to the children; 
speak to them personally and kindly 
on experimental and practical godli- 
ness, according to their capacity ; pray 
earnestly for them, and cause them to 
be faithfully instructed in the nature, 
design, privileges, and obligations of 
their baptism. 

3. As soon as they comprehend the 
responsibilities involved in a public 
profession of faith in Christ, and give 
evidence of a sincere and earnest de- 
termination to discharge the same, see 
that tliey be duly recognized as mem- 
bers of the Church, agreeably to the 
provisions of the Discipline. 

4. Let our catechisms be used as ex- 
tensively as possible, both in our Sun- 
day-schools and families; and let the 
preachers faithfully enforce upon par- 
eii<s and Sunday-school teachers the 
great importance of instructing chib 


PUBLIC WORSHIP. 


106 


[Ch. 5. 


dreD in the doctrines and duties of our 
holy religion. 

5. It shall be the special duty of the 
preai hers to form Bible-classes wher- 
ever they can, for the instruction of 
larger children and youth ; and where 
they cannot superintend them person- 
ally, to appoint suitable leaders for 
tha,t purpose. 


CHAPTER V. 

THE MEANS OF GRACE. 

SECTION I. 

OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

Qves. 1. What directions are given 
for uniformity in public worship? 

Aiv% 1. The morning service shall 
be conducted in the following order: 

(1 ) Singing — the congregation stand- 
ing. 


Sec. 1.] 


PUBLIC WOESHIP. 


107 


(2) Prayer — the coDgregatiou kneel- 
ing. 

'(3) Eeading a lesson out of the Old 
Testament and another out of the 
New. 

(4) Singing — the congregation sit- 
ting. 

(5) Preaching. 

(6) Singing — the congregation stand 
ing. 

(7) Prayer — the congregation kneel- 
ing. 

(8) Benediction. 

2. The afternoon and evening service 
shall be the same as the morning, ex- 
cept that one of the lessons, or both, 
may be omitted, at the discretion of 
the minister. 

3. The Lord’s Supper shall be ad- 
ministered monthly, in every congre- 
gation, ^\herever it is practicable ; and 
where it is not, at every quarterly 


108 


PUBLIC WOESHIP. 


[Oh. 5. 


meeting. Let the service preceding 
the administration be so proportioned 
as to admit of due time for this solemn 
ordinance. 

4. Let the Lord’s Prayer be used on 
all occasions of public worship, in 
concluding the first morning prayer, 
the congregation repeating after the 
minister; and the apostolic benediction 
(2 Cor. xiii. 14) in dismissing the con- 
gregation. 

5. The Ritual shall be invariably 
used in all the offices for which it is 
prescribed. 

Ques. 2. How shall we guard against 
formality in singing? 

Ans. 1. By choosing such hymns as 
are proper for the ocoasion. 

2. By not singing too much at once ; 
seldom more than five or six verses. 

3. By suiting the tune to the words. 

4. By often stopping short, when the 


j3ec. 2.J 


PRAYER-MEETINGS. 


109 


words are given out, and asking the 
people: “ Now do you know what you 
said last? Did you speak no more 
than you felt 

5. In all our congregations let the 
people learn to sing, and use our own 
Hymn and Tune-books. 

6. Exhort every person in the con- 
gregation to sing ; not one in ten only. 


SECTION II. 

OP PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

Ques. What directions are given con- 
cerning prayer- meetings ? 

Ans. 1. Let the pastor hold prayer- 
meetings, weekly, in every church 
where it is practicable ; and when he 
cannot himself attend, let him engage- 
local preachers, exhorters, class-leaders, 
and others,, to hold them. 


110 


LOVE-FEASTS. 


[Ch. 6. 


2. Let prayer-meetings be held also 
at other places where there is a proba- 
bility of their doing good. 


SECTION III. 

OF LOVE-FEASTS. 

Ques. 1. What directions are given 
concerning love-feasts ? 

Ans. 1. Love-feasts shall be held 
quarterly, or at such other times as the 
preacher in charge may consider expe- 
dient, with closed doors, to which, be- 
sides Church-members, other serious 
persons may be admitted by him. 

2. In conducting the love-feast, after 
singing and prayer, the preacher may 
make a short address, setting forth the 
nature and design of this institution ; 
every one present then partakes of a 
little bread and water in token of 


Sec. 4.1 


CLASS- MEETINGS. 


Ill 


brotherly love ; the members then give 
brief details of their religious experi- 
ence; and the meeting is closed with 
singing and prayer. 

Ques. 2. How often shall we permit 
strangers to be present at our love- 
feasts ? 

Alls, Let them be admitted with the 
utmost caution ; and the same person 
on no account above twice or thrice, 
unless he become a member. 


SECTION IV. 

OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 

Ques. 1. What directions are given 
concerning class-meetings ? 

Ans. 1. Let the membership of every 
church, wherever it is practicable, be 
divided into smaller companies, called 
classes, according to their respective 


112 


CLASS-MEETINGS. 


[Ch. t 


places of abode; and let the memDeri 
be exhorted to attend the meetings of 
the same. 

2. Two or more classes may meet at 
the same time and place, at their own 
option, and their leaders may alternate 
in conducting the exercises. 

3. The pastor shall visit every class 
once a quarter, and report its condition 
to the Quarterly Conference ; and let 
him hold general class-meetings as 
often as he shall find it expedient. 

Ques. 2. Can any thing be done in 
order to make the class-meetings more 
profitable ? 

Ans. 1. Change improper leaders. 

2. Let the leaders frequently meet 
each other’s classes. 

3. Let us oJ)serve which leaders are 
the most useful; and let these meet 
the other classes as often as possible. 


Szc. 5.] 


SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 


113 


SECTION V. 

OF SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

Qiies. AVhat directions are given 
concerning Sunday-schools ? 

Ans. 1. Let Sunday-schools be formed 
in all our congregations, where ten 
children can be collected for that pur- 
pose. And it shall be the especial 
duty of preachers having charge of cir- 
cuits and stations, with the aid of the 
other preachers, to see that this be done ; 
to engage the cooperation of as many 
of our members as they can; to visit 
the schools as often as practicable ; to 
preach on the subject of Sunday-schools 
and religious instruction in each con- 
gregation ; to lay before the Quarterly 
Conference, at each quarterly meeting, 
to be entered on its journal, a written 
statement of the number and state of 
the Sunday-schools within their respect- 


114 


SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 


rCH. 5. 


ive circuits and stations, and to make 
a report of the same to their several 
Annual Conferences. 

2. Each Quarterly Conference shall 
be deemed a Board of Managers, hav- 
ing supervision of all the Sunday-schools 
and Sunday-school Societies within its 
limits. 

3. It is recommended that each An- 
nual Conference, where the general 
state of the w^ork will, allow', request 
the appointment of a special agent, to 
travel throughout its bounds, for the 
purpose of promoting the interests of 
Sunday-schools ; and his expenses shall 
be paid out of collections which he 
shall be directed to make, or otherwise, 
as shall be ordered by the Conference. 

4. Let our catechisms be used as ex- 
tensively as possible in our Sunday- 
schools; and let the preachers faith- 
fully enforce upon Sunday-school 


Sec. 1.] 


TRIAL OF A BISHOP. 


115 


teachers the great importance of in- 
structing children in the doctrines. and 
duties of our holy religion. 

5. The superintendent of the Sunda}^- 
school shall be nominated by the preach- 
er in charge, subject to the confirmation 
or rejection of the Quarterly Conference. 


CHAPTER VI. 

ADMINISTRATION OF DISCIPLINE. 

SECTION I. 

TRIAL OF A BISHOP. 

Ques. 1. To whom is a Bishop amen- 
able for his conduct? 

Ans. To the General Conference, who 
have power to expel him for improper 
conduct, if they see it necessary. 

Ques. 2. What provision is made 
for the trial of a Bishop, if he should 
be accused of immorality in the inter- 
val of the General Conference? 

Ans. 1. When a Bishop shall be un- 


116 


TRIAL OF A BISHOP. 


[Ch. 6 


der report, or be accused, of immoral- 
ity,. three traveling elders shall call 
upon him and carefully inquire into 
the case, and, if they believe him guilty, 
they shall report the matter to another 
Bishop, and it shall be his duty to 
summon together, at some convenient 
place, not less than twelve traveling 
elders, and also the witnesses by whom 
the accusation is expected to be estab- 
lished ; and the said elders shall form 
a committee for the investigation of the 
charge brought against the Bishop. 
And if two-thirds of them verily be- 
lieve the accused to be guilty, they 
shall have power to suspend him till 
the ensuing General Conference. 

2. No charge against a Bishop shall 
be entertained except it be made in 
WTiting, signed by those who propose 
to establish it; and a copy of the 
charge or accusation, with the specifi- 


Sec. 2 .] teial of peeachees. 117 

cations, shall be delivered to the ac- 
cused a sufficient length of time to en- 
able him to make all necessary prepa- 
rations for his defense. 

Ques. 3. If a Bishop cease from 
traveling at large among the people, 
shall he still exercise his Episcopal 
office among us, in any degree ? 

Ans. If he cease from traveling, 
without the consent of the General 
Conferen^v^ he shall not thereafter 
exercise ^lo Episcopal office in our 
Church. 


SECTION II. 

TRIAL A TRAVELING PREACHER. 

1. To whom is a traveling 
preacher amenable for his conduct? 

A ns. To the Annual Conference, 
which shall have power to try, acquit, 
or expel him. 

Ques. 2. What shall be done when 


TRIAL or A 


118 


[Ch. 6. 


a traveling preacher is accused of im- 
morality ? 

Ans, 1. When a traveling elder or 
deacon is under report of being guilty 
of some crime expressly forbidden in 
the word of God, if it be in the inter- 
val of the Annual Conference, let the 
Presiding Elder, in the absence of the 
Bishop, call as many traveling preach- 
ers as he shall think fit — at least three 
— and, if possible, bring the accused and 
the accuser face to face. If the ac- 
cused be clearly convicted, he shall be 
suspended till the ensuing Annual Con- 
ference. The Presiding Elder shall 
cause an exact record of the investiga- 
tion, signed by the President and the 
Secretary, to be transmitted to the An- 
nual Conference, by which his case shal] 
be fully considered and determined. 

If the accused be a Presiding Elder, 
any tliree traveling elders or deacons 


Sec. 2.] traveli:?-^ reeachee. 119 

of his District iiid/- inquire into the 
case, and if they juc^e it necessary re- 
'^ort the Bishop, Avho shall appoint 
a coniuuttee of at least three elders, 
from wtvUin ihe bounds of the Annual 
Conferenv'e of which the accused is a 
member ; he shall also preside at the 
investigation, or some traveling elder 
appointed by him ; and the accused, if 
guilty, shall be suspended. 

If the accused and the accuser can- 
not be brought face to face, but the 
supposed delinquent evades an inves- 
tigation, it shall be received as a pre- 
sumptive proof of guilt ; and out of the 
mouth of two or three witnesses he shall 
be condemned, and be accordingly sus- 
pended. Nevertheless, even in that 
case, the Annual Conference shall con- 
sider and determine the whole matter. 

2. When the accusation is preferred 
during the session of the Annual Con- 


120 


TRIAL OF A 


[Ch. 6. 


ference, it shall first be referred to a 
committee of three traveling elders for 
investigation, who shall report to the 
Conference whether or not they judge 
a trial necessary. If the Conference 
differ in judgment from the committee, 
a new committee may be appointed to 
inquire into the facts and report. 

The committee of investigation re- 
porting a case for trial, shall bring for- 
ward the bill of charges in proper form, 
and appoint one or more of their num- 
ber to prosecute it. 

Every case to be tried shall be re- 
ferred to a committee of not less than 
nine, nor more than thirteen, who, in 
the presence of a Bishop or a chair- 
man, whom the President of the Con- 
ference shall appoint, and one or more 
of the Secretaries of the Conference, 
shall have full power to try the case ; 
and the’r decision shall be final, save 


Sec. 2.] teaveling preachee. 121 

as to the right of appeal : provided, 
that the accused shall, upon good 
grounds alleged, be allowed to chal- 
lenge five in a committee of nine, or 
seven in a committee of thirteen, and 
in the same ratio for any other number. 
And the said committee shall make a 
faithful report to the Conference, in 
writing, and deliver up to the Secretary 
the whole record of the case, with the 
decision rendered. 

Ques. 3. What shall be done in cases 
of improper tempers, 'words, or actions ? 

Am. The person so offending shall 
be reprehended by his senior in office. 
Should a second transgression take 
place, one, two, or three ministers or 
preachers are to be taken as witnesses. 
If he be not then cured, accusation shall 
be preferred at the next Annual Con- 
ference, and the accused shall be dealt 
with as in a case of immorality. 


TEIAL or A 


[Ch. 6 


Ques. 4. What shall be done with 
those ministers or preachers who liold 
and disseminate, publicly or privately, 
doctrines which are contrary to out 
Articles of Religion ? 

Ans. Let the same process be ob* 
served as in case of immorality; but 
if the minister or preacher so offending 
do solemnly engage not to disseminate 
such erroneous doctrines in public or 
in private, he shall be borne with till 
his case be laid before the next An- 
nual Conference, which shall deter- 
mine the matter. 

Ques. 5. What shall be done when 
a traveling preacher is complained of 
as being so unacceptable, inefficient, or 
secular, as to be no longer useful in his 
work ? 

Ans. 1. The Conference to which he 
belongs shall investigate the case, and 
if it appear that the complaint is 'well 


SeO. 2.] TRAVELING PREACHER. 123 

founded, and he do not give the Con- 
ference satisfaction that he will amend 
or voluntarily retire, it may locate him 
without his consent. 

2. He shall be at liberty to defend 
liimself before the Conference in person, 
or by his representative ; and if he be 
located in his absence, without having 
been previously notified of an intention 
thus to proceed against him, he may 
apply to the Conference, at its next 
session, to be heard in his defense, and 
the matter shall be reconsidered for 
that purpose. 

Ques. 6. What shall be done in the 
case of a preacher who refuses to at- 
tend to the work assigned him ? 

Ans. No deacon or elder who ceases 
to travel without the consent of the 
Annual Conference, certified under the 
hand of the President of the Confer- 
ence, except in case of sickness, debil- 


124 


TKIAL OF A 


[Ch. 6. 


ity, or other unavoidable circumstances, 
shall, on any account, exercise the pe- 
culiar functions of his office, or even 
be allowed to preach among us ; but 
the final determination in all such cases 
is with the Annual Conference. 

Nevertheless, in all the above-men- 
tioned cases of trial and conviction, an 
appeal to the ensuing General Confer- 
ence shall be allowed, if the condemned 
person signify to the President or the 
Secretary of the Conference his intention 
to appeal at the time of his condemna- 
tion, or at any time thereafter when he 
is informed thereof. 


SECTION III. 

TRIAL OF A PROBATIONER. 

Ques. What shall be done with a 
preacher on trial who is accused of im- 
morality ? 


Sec. 4 .] local preachee. 125 

Ans. He shall be accountable to the 
Quarterly Conference of the circuit on 
'which he travels. The Presiding El- 
der shall call a committee of investiga- 
tion, and the course of discipline shall 
be pursued that is made and provided 
for a local preacher under a like accu- 
sation. 


SECTION IV. 

TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER. 

Ques. 1. To whom is a local preacher 
amenable for his conduct ? 

Ans. To the Quarterly Conference, 
which shall have power to try, acquit, 
or expel him. 

Ques. 2. AVhat shall be done when 
a local preacher is accused of immor- 
ality ? 

Ans. 1. When a local preacher is 
under report of being guilty of some 
crime expressly forbidden in the word 


12S 


TRIAL OF A 


[Ch. 6, 


of God, the preacher in charge shall 
appoint a committee of three local 
preachers to investigate the report ; and 
if they judge a trial to be necessary, 
they shall appoint one or more of their 
number to prepare a bill of charges and 
specifications, and present it before the 
ensuing Quarterly Conference. 

2. The committee of investigation 
shall, in every case, make a report to 
the Quarterly Conference ; and if the 
Conference differ in judgment, a new 
committee may be appointed to inquire 
into the facts and to report. 

3. A local preacher who has been 
notified by the Presiding Elder, or 
preacher in charge, of a bill of charges 
and specifications thus found against 
him, shall not be allowed to exercise 
the functions of his office until the case 
has been presented to and determined 
by the Quarterly Conference. 


Sec. 4.1 


LOCAL PRE.\CHEE. 


127 


4. The President of the Quarterly 
Conference shall, at the commencement 
of the trial, appoint a Secretary, who 
shall take down regular minutes of the 
evidence and proceedings. The min- 
utes, when read and approved, shall be 
signed by the President, and also by 
the members wdio are present, or a ma- 
jority of them, and the sentence of the 
Quarterly Conference shall be pro- 
nounced by the President. 

Ques. 3. What shall be done in cases 
of improper tempers, words, or actions ? 

Ans, The person so offending shall be 
reprehended by the preacher having 
charge. Should a.second transgression 
take place, one, two, or three faithful 
friends are to be taken as witnesses. If 
he be not then cured, he shall be dealt 
with as in a case of immorality; and if 
found guilty and impenitent, he shall 
be expelled from the Church. 


128 


TRIAL OF A 


[Ch. 6. 


Quefi. 4. What shall be done •with 
those local preachers "who hold and dis- 
seminate, publicly or privately, doc- 
trines -which are contrary to our Arti- 
cles of Religion ? 

Atis. Let the same process be ol>- 
served as in case of immorality. 

Qiies. 5. What shall be done wlien 
a local elder or deacon is complained 
of as being so unacceptable or ineffi- 
cient as to be no longer useful in his 
work, and the Quarterly Conference 
refuses to pass his character on that 
ground ? 

Ans. The Quarterly Conference next 
succeeding shall proceed to investigate 
the case ; and if it appear that the com- 
plaint is well founded, and he do not 
give the Conference satisfaction that he 
will amend or voluntarily retire, the 
Conference may depose him from the 
ministry. He shall be at liberty to de* 


Sec. 5.] trial of a member. 129 

fend himself before the Conference in 
person, or by his representative. The 
President of the Quarterly Conference 
shall have regular minutes of the in- 
vestigation taken, which, on being read 
and approved, shall be signed by him- 
self and a majority of the members of 
the Conference. 

Nevertheless, in all the above-men- 
tioned cases of trial and conviction, an 
appeal to the ensuing Annual Confer- 
ence shall be allowed, if the condemned 
person signify his intention to appeal 
at the time of his condemnation, or at 
any time thereafter when he is informed 
thereof. 


SECTION V. 

OF THE TRIAL OF A MEiLBEE. 

Qnes, 1. How shall an accused. mem 
ber be brought to trial ? 

9 


130 TRIAL OF A MEMBER. [CH. 6 

Ans. 1. Before the church of which 
he is a member, or a select number 
of them, in the presence of a Bishop, 
elder, deacon, or preacher, in the fol- 
lowing manner : 

When a member of the Church is 
under report of being guilty of some 
crime expressly forbidden in the word 
of God, the preacher having charge 
shall appoint a committee of three dis- 
creet members, wdio shall investigate 
the report, and if they judge a trial to 
be necessary, they shall appoint one of 
their number to prepare a bill of 
charges and specifications, and also to 
prosecute the case. 

Upon the presentation of such bill 
of charges, the preacher shall appoint 
a committee of not less than five, nor 
more than thirteen, before whom the 
accused shall be duly cited to appear, 
who shall have full power t(> try the 


Sec. 5.] trial of a member. lol 

case; and if the accused be found guilty 
by a majority of the committee, let the 
preacher declare him suspended or ex- 
pelled. Nevertheless, the preacher may, 
at his discretion, bring the case before 
the whole Church for trial. 

A copy of the charge and specifica- 
tions shall be delivered to the accused 
a sufficient length of time before the 
trial, to enable him to make all neces- 
sary preparations for his defense ; and 
in the case of trial before a committee, 
he shall be allowed, upon good rea- 
sons alleged, to challenge two in a com- 
mittee of five, and in like ratio for any 
other number. 

The preacher in charge shall preside 
at the trial, and decide all questions of 
law appertaining to*or growing out of 
the case. He shall, at the commence- 
ment of the trial, appoint a Secretary, 
who shall take down regular minutes 


132 


TRIAL OF A MEMBER, 


[Ch 6 


of the evidence and proceedings, which 
minutes, when read and approved, shall 
be signed by the President and the 
Secretary. 

If the accused person evade a trial 
by absenting himself after sufficient no- 
tice given him, and the circumstances 
of the accusation be strong and pre- 
sumptive, let him be esteemed as guilty, 
and be accordingly suspended or ex- 
pelled. Witnesses' from without shall 
not be rejected. 

2. But in case of neglect of duties of 
any kind, imprudent conduct, indulg- 
ing sinful tempers or words, or disobe- 
dience to the order and discipline of 
the Church : First let private reproof 
be given by a preacher or leader ; and 
if there be an acknowledgment of the 
fault, and proper humiliation, the per- 
son may be borne with. On a second 
offense, the preacher or leader may take 


Sec. 5 .] 'fRiAL of a member. 133 

one or two faithful friends. On a third 
offense, let the case be brought before 
the Church, or a select number; and if 
there be no sign of real humiliation, 
the offender must be cut off. 

3. If a member of our Church en- 
deavor to sow dissension in any of our 
societies, by inveighing against either 
our doctrines or discipline, such person 
so offending shall be first reproved by 
the senior minister or preacher of his 
circuit; and if he persist in such per- 
nicious practices, he shall be expelled 
from the Church. 

Ques. 2. What shall be done in case 
of disputes between members of the 
Church ? 

Ans. 1. On any dispute between two 
or more members of our Church, con- 
cerning the payment of debts, or oth- 
erwise, which cannot be settled by 
the parties concerned, the preacher in 


134 


TRIAL OF A ME]yiBEE. [Ch. 6. 


charge shall inquire into the circura- 
stances of the case ; and shall recom- 
mend to the contending parties a refer- 
ence, consisting of one arbiter chosen 
by the plaintiff^ and another chosen by 
the defendant ; which two arbiters so 
chosen shall nominate the third — the 
three arbiters being members of our 
Church. 

2. But if one of the parties be dis- 
satisfied with the judgment given, such 
party may apply to the ensuing Quar- 
terly Conference for a second arbitra- 
tion ; and if the Quarterly Conference 
see sufficient reason, they shall grant a 
second arbitration, in which case each 
party shall choose two arbiters, and the 
four arbiters shall choose a fifth, the 
judgment of the majority of whom 
shall be final ; and any person refusing 
to abide by such judgment shall be ex- 
cluded the Church. 


Sec ').] TEIAL OF A MEMBER. 135 

3 And if any member of our Church 
shall refuse, in cases of debt or other 
disputes, to refer the matter to arbitra- 
tion, when recommended by him who 
has the charge of the circuit, or shall 
enter into a lawsuit with another mem- 
ber before these measures are taken, he 
shall be expelled, unless the case be of 
such a nature as to require and justify 
a process at law. 

Nevertheless, in all the above-men- 
tioned cases of trial and expulsion, an 
appeal to the ensuing Quarterly Con- 
ference shall be allowed, if the con- 
demned person signify to the pastor bis 
intention to appeal at the time of jiis 
condemnation, or at any time there tf- 
ter when he is informed thereof. 


136 


APPEAL OF A 


[Ch. 7, 


CHAPTER VII. 

OF APPEALS. 

SECTION I. 

APPEAL OF A TRAVELING PREACHER. 

1. In all cases, it shall be the duty 
of the Secretary of the Annual Confer- 
ence to preserve the documents relat- 
ing to the trial of members, which doc- 
uments only, in an appeal from the de- 
cision of an Annual Conference, shall be 
presented to the General Conference, 
in evidence on the case. 

2. When an appeal is made, and al- 
lowed by the General Conference, there 
shall be a committee appointed con- 
sisting of one delegate from each An- 
nual Conference, who, in the presence of 
a Bishop and one or more of the Secre- 
taries of the General Conference, shall 


Sec. 1 .] TKAVELIlsG rSEACHER. 137 

have full powei* to try the case ; and 
their decision shall he final. And the 
said committee shall make a faithful 
report to the General Conference, in 
writing, and deliver up to the Secre 
tary the whole record of the case, with 
the decision rendered. 

3. No member shall be appointed to 
serve on any appeal when he has been 
a member of the committee that first 
tried the case. 

4. The appellant shall either state 
personally, or by his representative, 
(who shall be a member of the Confer- 
ence,) the grounds of his appeal, show- 
ing cause why he appeals, and he shall 
be permitted to make his defense with- 
out interruption. After which the rej)- 
resentatives of the Annual Conference 
from whose decision the appeal is made, 
shall be permitted to respond in pres- 
ence of the appellant, who shall have 


138 


APPEAL OF A 


[Ch. 7. 


privilege of replying, which shall close 
the pleadings on both sides. This done, 
tlie appellant shall withdraw, and the 
committee shall decide. 

5. No minister, after such form of 
trial and expulsion, shall be restored 
to the communion of the Church with- 
out giving satisfactory evidence of re- 
pentance, unless the Annual Confer- 
ence shall become convinced that he 
was innocent of the crime for which he 
was expelled ; in which case the Con- 
ference may restore him to his previ- 
ous standing. 


SECTION IL 

APPEAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER. 

1. When an appeal of a local 
preacher is made and allowed by the 
Annual Conference, the President shall 
appoint a committee of not less than 


Sec. 2.] 


LOCAL PEEACHER, 


139 


nine, nor more than thirteen, who shall 
have fall power to try the case ; and 
their decision shall be final. 

2. No member of the Quarter]}'- Con- 
ference that first tried the case shall be 
appoin^-ed on this committee. 

3. The minutes of the trial in the 
Quarterly Conference shall be laid be- 
fore this committee, which documents 
only shall be in evidence ; and tlie said 
committee shall make a faithful report 
to the Annual Conference, in writing, 
and deliver up to the Secretary the 
whole record of the case, with the de- 
cision rendered. 

4. The appellant shall either stjfite 
personally, or by his representative, 
(who shall be a member of the Confer- 
ence,) the grounds of his appeal, show- 
ing cause why he appeals, and he shall 
be permitted to make his defemse with- 
out interruption. After which the rep- 


MO 


APPEAL OF A MEMBEE. [Ch. 7. 

\ 

resentatives of the Quarterly Confer- 
ence, from whose decision the appeal is 
made, shall be permitted to respond in 
presence of the appellant, who shall 
have privilege of replying, which shall 
close the pleadings on both sides. 
This done, the appellant shall with- 
draw, and the committee shall decide. 


SECTION III. 

AFPEAL OF A MEMEEPv. 

1. If there be a murmur or com- 
plaint from any excluded person, that 
ju^ice has not been done in the trial 
before the Church or committee, he 
shall be allowed an appeal to the next 
Quarterly Conference. 

2. The appeal being made and allowed, 
the preacher in charge shall present 
the minutes of the trial to the Quar- 


Sec. 3.] appeal of a member. HI 

terly Conference, from which minutes 
the case shall finally be determined. 

3. No member of the committee for 
trial shall vote on the appeal. 

4. The appellant shall either state per- 
sonally, or by his representative, (who 
shall be a member of the Church,) 
the grounds of his appeal, showing 
cause why he appeals, and he shall be 
permitted to make his defense \Vithout 
interruption. After which the repre- 
sentatives of the society or committee 
Irom whose decision the appeal is made, 
shall be permitted to respond in pres- 
ence of the appellant, who shall have 
privilege of replying, which shall close 
the pleadings on both sides. This 
done, the appellant shall withdraw, 
and the majority of the members of 
the Quarterly Conference present shall 
finally determine the case. 

5. No member, after such form of 


142 


DEPRIVATION OF 


[Ch. 8. 


trial and expulsion, shall be restored 
to the communion of the Church with- 
out giving satisfactory evidence of re- 
pentance, unless the Quarterly Confer- 
ence shall become convinced that he 
was innocent of the crime for which 
he was expelled, in which case he may 
be restored. 


CHAPTER VIIL 

OF THE DEPRIVATION AND RESTORATION OP 
CREDENTIALS. 

SECTION I. 

CREDENTIALS OF TRAVELING ELDERS 
OR DEACONS. 

1. When any traveling elder or dea- 
con is deprived of his credentials of 
ordination by expulsion or otherwise, 
they shall be filed with the papers of 
the Annual Conference of which ho 
was a member. 


Sec. 2.] 


CREDENTIALS. 


143 


2. Should he at any future time give 
satisfactory evidence to said Confer- 
ence of his amendment or innocence, 
and procure a certificate of the Quar- 
terly Conference of the circuit or sta- 
tion where he resides, or of an Annual 
Conference which may have admitted 
him on trial, recommending to the 
Annual Conference, of which lie was 
formerly a member, the restoration of 
his credentials, the said Conference 
may restore them. 


SECTION II. 

CREDENTIALS OF LOCAL ELDERS OR 
DEACONS. 

1. When any local elder or deacon 
is deprived of his credentials of ordi- 
nation by expulsion or otherwise, it 
shall be the duty of the Presiding El- 
der to require them of him, and to file 


SUPPORT OF 


[Ch, 0 


Ai 

tliem with the papers of the Annual 
Conference within the limits of wliich 
the said local preacher resides. 

2. Should he, at any future time, 
produce to the Annual Conference a 
certificate of his restoration by the 
Quarterly Conference, signed by the 
President and Secretary thereof, his 
credentials may be restored to him. 


CHAPTER IX. 

OF THE SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY. 

SECTION I. 

SUPPORT OF PREACHERS ON CIRCUITS 
AND STATIONS. 

1. Every minister who, by the rules 
and usages of the Church, is a claim- 
ant on its funds, shall, as far as prac- 
ticable, have his claim estimated by 


Sec. 2.] 


THE MINISTRY. 


145 


those ^vho are to pay it, or by an 
agent authorized to act for them. 

2. The salary and traveling expenses 
of preachers on circuits and stations 
shall be estimated by their respective 
Boards of Stewards. 

3. The stewards shall report to each 
Church-meeting the whole amount to 
be raised, and that part of it which 
each congregation is expected to pay. 
The Church Conference shall adopt its 
own method of raising this money. 


SECTION II. 

SUPPORT OF PRESIDING ELDERS. 

1. The .salary and traveling expense.? 
of Presiding Elders shall be estimated 
by the District Stewards. 

2. The District Stewards shall ap- 
portion the. amount allowed among 

10 


146 


SUPPOKT OP 


[Ch. 9. 


the different pastoral charges of the 
District, whose Boards of Stewards 
shall add the sum, thus apportioned, to 
the amounts agreed on to be raised for 
their preachers, and its collection shall 
be provided for in the same way. 


SECTION III. 

SUPPORT OF BISHOPS. 

The Bishops shall be supported ac- 
cording to the following plan : 

1. The allowance of the Bishops for 
salary and traveling expenses shall be 
estimated by the Committee on Epis- 
copacy of the General Conference ; 
and they shall divide the amount be- 
tween the several Annual Conferences, 
according to the ability of the Confer- 
ences. 

2. The Annual Conferences shall be 
allowed to adopt their own plan for 


Seo. 3.] 


THE MINISTRY. 


147 


raising said 'amount, which shall be 
called the Bishops’ Fund. 

3. This Fund shall be paid over to 
the Joint Board of Finance of the 
Annual Conference; and the Chair- 
man of said Board shall pay tho 
amount collected to the Bishop presid- 
ing at the Conference, and take his re- 
ceipt, and forward the same, or a copy 
thereof, to the Book Agent. 

4. At the annual meeting of the 
Bishops, each Bishop shall report to 
the Book Agent the amount paid to 
him by the several Annual Confer- 
ences, to be divided between all the 
Bishops in proportion to the amount 
estimated for the support of each. 

5. Tho Bishops who shall have been 
placed upon the retired list, or who are 
unable to do full work, shall share in 
the collections, in proportion to the 
amountc estimated, with those 'who are 


SUPPORT OF 


148 


[Cn. 9. 


efficient, and who are actively engaged 
in the work. 

6. In the interval of the Bishops’ 
annual meeting, the funds collected 
and paid over to the Bishops shall be 
divided between the effective Bishops 
and those who are on the retired list, 
or who are not able to do full work, 
by such method as the College of Bish- 
ops may devise among themselves. 


SECTION IV. 

SUPPORT OF THOSE NOT OTHERWISE 
PROVIDED FOR. 

All officers appointed by the Gen- 
eral Conference, and not otherwise pro- 
vided for by law, shall have their sala- 
ries fixed by the Joint Board of Fi- 
nance of the Conference of which they 
are members, or within the bounds of 


Sec. 5.] 


THE MINISTRY. 


149 


which the work assigned them by the 
General Conference lies ; and be paid 
from the proceeds of their office, or by 
such other means as the Conference 
may devise. 


SECTION V. 

OF THE JOINT BOARD OF FINANCE. 

1. Each Annual Conference shall 
have a Joint Board of Finance, ap- 
pointed by the President of the Con- 
ference, (unless otherwise ordered,) at 
the close of its' annual session, to hold 
their office until the close of the next 
ensuing Annual Conference session. 

2. Said Board shall consist of one 
clerical member of the Conference and 
one layman for each Presiding Elder’s 
District. They shall elect their own 
chairman and secretary, and the Board 


150 


SUPPORT OF 


[CH. 9. 


shall fill all vacancies that may occur 
ill the body : provided, they do so by 
keeping up an equal number of clerical 
and lay members. 

3. It shall be the duty of the Joint 
Board — 

(1) To receive all moneys collected 
as Conference collections or otherwise, 
and distribute the same to the super- 
annuated preachers, and the widows 
and orphans of deceased members of 
the Conference, according to their best 
judgment of their several necessities. 

(2) They shall estimate the amount 
that will probably be necessary to meet 
the claims of the superannuated preach- 
ers and the widows and orphan chil- 
dren of deceased members of the Con- 
ference, and apportion the same to the 
different Presiding Elders’ Districts for 
collection the ensuing year. 

(3) All matters relating to the finan- 


6ec. 5.J 


THE MINISTRY 


151 


cial interests of the Conference shall be 
referred to this Board, and be care- 
fully considered and reported upon. 

(4) They shall make a full report 
of all proceedings to the Conference, 
which shall either approve, recommit, 
or amend their report. 

(5) The members of this Board, and 
especially the Chairman thereof, shall 
carefully consider the financial inter- 
ests during the year, and shall collect 
such authentic information in regard 
to the pecuniary circumstances of the 
usual claimants on the Conference 
funds as shall facilitate the business 
of the Board at its annual meeting. 

(6) The Kecording Steward of each 
circuit shall report to the Joint Board 
of Finance a full account of the acts 
of the Board of Stewards the preced- 
ing year. The Joint Board shall de- 
cide all issues that may exist between 


152 


SUPPORT OF MISSIONS. 


[Ch. 10. 


the stewards and the Presiding Elder, 
or any of the preachers, in relation to 
salaries, and their decision shall be 
final ; but in no case shall they allow 
any preacher to have a claim on the 
Church he has served, as of debt, after 
his pastoral connection has ceased. 

(7) Each Annual Conference shall 
adopt its own method of raising money 
to pay those who, by the rules and 
usages of the Church, have claims 
upon it : provided^ it does not interfere 
with the rights guaranteed to the 
Church Conferences, to adopt their 
own methods of raising money to pay 
their liabilities. 


Cn. 10.] BUILDING CHURCHEa 


153 


CHAPTER X. 

CHURCHES AND CHURCH-PROPERTY. 

SECTION I. 

OF BUILDING CHURCHES. 

Ques. Is any thing advisable in re- 
gard to building churches? 

Alls. 1. Let all our churches be plain 
and decent, and with free seats, as far 
as practicable ; and they shall in no 
wise be used for political purposes or 
assemblages. 

2. In order more effectually to pre- 
vent our people from contracting debts 
which they are not able to discharge, 
it shall’ be the duty of the Quarterly 
Conference of every circuit and station, 
where it is contemplated to build a 
house or houses of worship, to secure 


154 BUILDI^TG CHUECHES. [Ch. 10. 

the ground or lot on which such house 
or houses are to be built, according to 
our deed of settlement, which deed 
must be legally executed; and also 
said Quarterly Conference shall ap- 
point a judicious committee of at least 
three members of our Church, who 
shall form an estimate of the amount 
necessary to build; and three-fourths 
of the money, according to such esti- 
mate, shall be secured or subscribed 
before any such building shall be com- 
menced. 

3. In all cases where debts for build- 
ing houses of worship have been or 
may be incurred contrary to or in dis- 
regard of the above recommendation, 
our members and friends are requested 
to discountenance, by declining pecu- 
niary aid to, all agents who shall travel 
abroad beyond their own circuits or 
districts, for the collection of funds foi 


Sec. 1.] BuiLDiJs’G CHUECHEg. 155 

the discharge of such debts, except in 
such peculiar cases as may be approved 
by an Annual Conference. 

4. In future, we will aSmit no char- 
ter, deed, or conveyance for any house 
of worship to be used by us, unless it 
be provided in such charter, deed, or 
conveyance, that the trustees of said 
house shall at all times permit such 
ministers and preachers, belonging 
to the Colored Methodist Episcopal 
Church in America, as shall from time 
to time be duly authorized by the Gen- 
eral Conference of our Church, or by 
the Annual Conferences, to preach and 
expound God’s holy word, and to exe- 
cute the discipline of the Church, and 
to administer the sacraments therein, 
according to the true meaning and 
purport of our deed of settlement. 


156 


BTJILDIl^G PARSOKAGES. [CH. 10. 


SECTION II. 

OF BUI1.DING PARSONAGES. 

Ques. What advice or direction is 
given concerning the building of 
dwelling-houses for the use of the 
married traveling preachers? 

Ans. 1. It is recommended to our 
friends, in general, to purchase a lot 
of ground in each pastoral charge, and 
to build a preacher’s house thereon, 
and to furnish it with at least heavy 
furniture, and to settle the same on 
trustees appointed by the Quarterly 
Conference, according to our deed of 
settlement. 

2. It shall be the duty of the Pre- 
siding Elders and preachers to use 
their influence to carry the above rules 
respecting building houses, for the ac- 
commodation of preachers and their 


Sec. 3.] 


SECURING CHURCHES. 


157 


families, into effect. In order to do 
this, each Quarterly Conference shall 
appoint a committee, (unless other 
measures have been adopted,) who, 
with the advice and aid of the preach- 
ers and Presiding Elder, shall devise 
such means as may seem fit to raise 
money for that purpose. And it is 
recommended to the Annual Confer- 
ences to make a special inquiry of their 
members respecting this part of their 
duty. 


SECTION III. 

OF SECURING CHURCHES AND PAR- 
SONAGES. 

Ques. What shall be done for the 
security of our preaching-houses and 
parsonages, and other Church-propertv. 
and the premises belonging thereto? 
Ans. 1. Each Annual Conference 


158 SEGUEING CHUECHES [Ch. 10. 

authorized to make such modification 
in the deeds as they may find the dif- 
ferent usages and customs of law re- 
quire in the different States and Terri- 
tories, so as to secure the property 
firmly by deed, and permanently in fee 
simple, to the Colored Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in America; but in all 
conveyances of ground for the building 
of houses of worship, or upon which 
they may have been already built, let 
the following clause be inserted at the 
proper place: “In trust, that said 
premises shall be used, kept, main- 
tained, and disposed of as a place of 
Divine worship for the use of the min- 
istry and membership of the Colored 
^lethodist Episcopal Church in Amer- 
ica ; subject to the discipline, usage, 
and ministerial appointments of said 
Church, as from time to time author- 
ized and declared by the General Con- 


Sec. 3.] 


AND PARSONAGES. 


159 


ference of said Church, and the Annual 
Conference within whose bounds the 
said premises are situate.” 

2. Likewise, in all conveyances of 
ground for the building of dwelling- 
houses for the use of the preachers, or 
upon which they may have been al- 
ready built, let the following clause be 
inserted at the proper place: “In trust, 
that said premises shall be held, kept, 
and maintained and disposed of as a 
place of residence for the use and oc- 
cupancy of the preachers of the Colored 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Amer- 
ica, who may from time to time be ap- 
pointed in said place; subject to the 
usage and discipline of said Church, as 
from time to time authorized and de- 
clared by the General Conference of 
said Church, and by the Annual Con- 
ference within whose bounds the said 
premises are situate.” 


J60 


DIVISION. TRANSFER OR FCh. 10. 


SECTION IV. 

OF THE DIVISION, TRANSFER OR SALE 
OF CHURCH-PROPERTY. 

1. 'When any circuit, station, or mis- 
sion shall be divided into two or more 
charges, each separate charge may 
constitute a new board or boards of 
trustees; and the Church-property held 
by the trustees of the original charge 
shall be conveyed to the new boards 
thus created, and the former board or 
boards shall be freed from all pecu- 
niary liabilities, such being transferred 
to the new boards respectively. 

2. The trustees, with the consent of 
the preachers in charge and the Quar- 
terly Conference, shall have power to 
sell any church, or parsonage property, 
which has gone out of use, or should 
be removed to another place, the pro- 


Sec. 4.] sale of CHUKCH-PHOrERTY. 


161 


ceeds of which shall be under the di- 
rection of the Quarterly Conference. 

3. If the said trustees, or any of them, 
or their successors, have advanced, or 
{hall advance, any sum or sums of 
money, or are or shall be responsible 
for any sum or sums of money, on ac- 
count of Church -property, and they, 
the said trustees, or their successors, be 
obliged to pay the said sum or sums of 
money, they, or a majority of them, 
shall be authorized to raise the said 
sum or sums of money by a mortgage; 
on the said property, or by selling the 
said property, iffter notice given to the 
preacher in charge, or the Presiding 
Elder of the District, if the money due 
be not paid to the said trustees, or 
their successor -j, within one year after 
such noiice hss been given ; and if 
such sale take place, the said trustees, 
or their successors, after paying the 
11 


162 


SALE OF CHURCH PEOPERTY. [Ch. 10. 


debt and other expenses which are due 
from the money arising from such sale, 
shall pay over the remainder of the 
money produced by the said sale to the 
steward, or stewards, of the circuit, 
station, or mission ; which surplus of 
the produce of said sale shall be for- 
warded by the said steward, or stew- 
ards, to the Quarterly Conference 
within whose bounds it is situated, at 
its next session ; which said Quarterly 
Conference shall dispose of the raid 
money, by a vote of the majorit} for 
the use of the said circuit, statio or 
mission. • 


Sec. 1.] 


THE LORD S SUPPER 


133 


CHAPTER XI 

THE RITUAL, 

SECTION I. 

THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRA- 
TION OF THE lord’s SUPPER. 

The elder shall read one or more of these sentcm '4, 
during the reading of which the stewards shall take 
up the collection for the poor : 

Let your light so shine before men, 
that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
Matt. V. 16. 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures 
upon earth, where moth and rust doth 
corrupt, and where thieves break 
through and steal ; but lay up for your- 
selves treasures in heaven, where nei- 
ther moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 


164 


THE LOED’s supper. [Ch. 11. 


where thieves do not break through 
nor steal. Matt. vi. 19, 20. 

Whatsoever ye would that men 
should do to you, do ye even so to 
them ; for this is the law and the proph- 
ets. Matt. vii. 12. 

Not every one that saith unto me. 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the king- 
dom of heaven ; but he that doeth the 
will of my Father which is in heaven. 
Matt. vii. 21. 

Zaccheus stood, and said unto the 
Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my 
goods I give to the poor ; and if I have 
taken any thing from any man by 
false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 
Luke xix. 8. 

He which soweth sparingly shall 
reap also sparingly ; and he which sow- 
eth bountifully shall reap also bounti- 
fully. Every man as he purposeth in 
his heart, so let him give; not grudge 


Sec. 1.] 


THE LOF.D'S SUPPER. 


165 


ingly, or of necessity ; for God loveth a 
cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. 

As we have therefore opportunity, 
let us do good unto all men, especially 
unto them who are of the household of 
faith. Gal. vi. 10. 

Godliness with contentment is great 
gain ; for we brought nothing into this 
world, and it is certain we can carry 
nothing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7.- 

Charge them that are rich in tlih 
world, that they be ready to distribute, 
willing to communicate, laying up in 
store for themselves a good foundation 
against the time to come, that they may 
lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 
18, 19. 

God is not unrighteous to forget your 
work and labor of love, which ye have 
showed toward his name, in that ye 
have ministered to the saints, and do 
minister. Heb. vi. 10. 


IC6 THE lord’s supper. [Ch. 11. 

To do good, and to communicate, 
forget not ; for with such sacrifices God 
is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16. 

Whoso hath this world’s good, and 
seeth his brother have need, and shnt- 
teth up his bowels of compassion from 
him, how dwelleth the love of God in 
him? IJohniii. 17. 

He that hath pity upon the poor, 
lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which 
he hath given will he pay him again. 
Prov. xix. 17. 

Blessed is he that considereth the 
poor : the Lord will deliver him in time 
of trouble. Psalm idi. 1. 

Then shall the elder read this invitation: 

Ye that do truly and earnestly re- 
pent of your sins, and are in love and 
charity with your neighbors, and in- 
tend to lead a new life, following the 
commandments of God, and walking 
from henceforth in his holy ways, draw 


Sec. 1.] 


THE LOED’s SUPPEE. 


167 


near with faith, and take this lioly sac 
rament to your comfort, and make 
your humble confession to Almighty 
God, meekly kneeling upon your 
knees. 

Then shall this general confession be made by the min- 
ister, in the name of all those who are minded to re- 
ceive the holy communion, both he and all the peo- 
ple kneeling humbly upon their knees and saying, 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge 
of all men, we acknowledge and bewail 
our manifold sins and wickedness, 
which we from time to time most griev- 
ously have committed, by thought, word, 
and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, 
provoking most justly thy wrath and 
indignation against us. We do ear- 
nestly repent, and are heartily sorry for 
these our misdoings : the remembrance 
of them is grievous unto us. Have 
mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, 
most merciful Father: for thy Son our 


168 


THE lord’s supper. 


[Ch. n. 


Lord Jesus Christ’s sake forgive us all 
that is past, and grant that we may ever 
hereafter serve and please thee in new- 
ness of life, to the honor and glory of 
thy name, through Jesus Christ oui 
Lord. Amen 


Then shall the elder say, 

O Almighty God, our Heavenly Fa- 
ther, who of th}^ great mercy hast 
promised forgiveness of sins to all them 
that with hearty repentance and true 
faith turn to thee : have mercy upon 
us ; pardon and deliver us from all our 
sins, confirm and strengthen us in all 
goodness, and bring us to everlasting 
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts 
be open, all desires known, and from 
whom no secrets are hid : cleanse the 
thoughts of our hearts by the inspira- 


THE LOLD’s supper. 


169 


Sec. 1.]] 

tion of tlij" Holy Spirit, that we may 
perfectly love thee, and worthily mag- 
nify thy holy name, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the elder say, 

It is very meet, right, and our 
boLutden duty, that we should at all 
times, and in all places, give thanks 
unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, 
almighty, everlasting God. 

Therefore witli angels and archan- 
gels, and with all the company of heav- 
en, we laud and magnify thy glonous 
name, evermore praising thee, and say- 
ing, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of 
hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy 
glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most 
high. Amen. 

Then shall the elder say, 

We do not presume to come to this 
thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in 
our own righteousness, but in thy man- 


170 THE LOED’s SUPPEK. [Ch. 11. 

ifold and great mercies. We are not 
worthy so much as to gather up the 
crumbs under thy table. But thou art 
the same Lord, whose property is 
always to have mercy : Grant us, there- 
fore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh 
of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to 
drink his blood, that our sinful souls 
and bodies may be made clean by his 
death, and washed through his most 
precious blood, and that we may ever- 
more dwell in him, and he in us. 
Amen. 

Then the elder shall say the prayer of consecration, as 
followeth : 

Almighty God, our Heavenly F ather, 
wdio of thy tender mercy didst give 
thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer 
death upon the cross for our redemp- 
tion ; who made there (by his oblation 
of himself once offered) a full, perfect, 
and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and 


Sec. 1.] 


THE LORD'S SUPPER, 


171 


satisfaction for the sins of tlie whole 
world; and did institute, and in his 
holy Gospel command us to continue, 
a perpetual memory of that his precious 
death until his coming again : hear us, 
O merciful Father, we most humbly 
beseech thee, and grant that ^\e, re- 
ceiving these thy creatures of bread 
and wine, according to thy Son our 
Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, 
in remembrance of his death and pas- 
sion, may be partakers of his most 
blessed body and blood : who in the 
same night that he W'as betrayed took 
bread ; and when he had given thanks, 
he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, 
saying, Take, eat; this is my body which 
is given for you : do this in remem- 
brance of me. Likewise after supper 
he took the cup; and when he had giv- 
en thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 
Drink ye all of this ; for this is my 


172 


THE LOED’s supper. 


[Ch. n 


blood of the New Testament, which is 
shed for. you and for many, for the re- 
mission of sins : do this, as oft as ye 
shall drink it, in remembrance of me. 
Amen. 

Then shall the minister first receive the communion in 
both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the 
same to the other ministers in like manner, if any be 
present. Then shall he say the Lord's Prayer, the 
people still kneeling and repeating after him every 
petition. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; 
thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
lieaven ; give us this day our daily 
bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against 
us ; and lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil ; for thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the 
glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Then a hymn may be sung, and the communicanU 
shall be invited to the table. The minister shall d& 


iSec. 1.] 


THE LORD S SUPPER. 


173 


liver both kinds to the people into their hamls. When 
ne delivereth the bread he shall sap, 

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was given for thee, preserve thy 
soul and body unto everlasting life. 
Take and eat this in remembrance that 
(Jhrist died for thee, and feed on him in 
thy heart by faith with thanksgiving. 

And the minister that delivereth the cup shall sap, 

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which was shed for thee, preserve thy 
sold and body unto everlasting life. 
Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s 
blood was shed for thee, and be thank- 
ful. 

When all have communicated, the minister shall return 
to the Lord's table, and place upon it what remain- 
eth of the consecrated elements, covering the same 
with a fair linen cloth. 

The minister map then sap as followeth : 

\ 

O Lord and Heavenly Father, we 
thy humble servants desire thy fatherl}^ 
goodness mercifully to accept this our 


171 


THE lord’s supper. 


[Ch. 1 L 


sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, 
most humbly beseeching thee to grant 
that, by the merits and death of thy 
Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in 
his blood, we and thy whole Church 
may obtain remission of our sins, and 
all other benefits of his passion. And 
here we offer and present unto thee, O 
Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, 
to be a reasonable, holy, and lively 
sacrifice unto thee ; humbly beseeching 
thee that all we who are partakers of 
this holy communion may be filled with 
thy grace and heavenly benediction. 
And although we be unworthy, through 
our manifold sins, to offer unto thee 
any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to 
accept this our bounden duty and ser- 
vice ; not weighing our merits, but par- 
doning our offenses, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord : by whom, and with 
whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 


Sko. 1.] 


THE lord’s supper. 


176 


all honor and glory be unto thee, O 
Father Almighty, world without end. 
Amen. 

Then may be said, 

Glory be to God on high, and on 
earth peace, good-will toward men. We 
praise thee, we bless thee, we worship 
thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks 
to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, 
heavenly King, God the Father Al- 
mighty. 

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus 
Christ : O Lord God, Lamb of God, 
Son of the Father, that takest away the 
sins of the world, have mercy upon us. 
Thou that takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 
takest away the sins of the world, re- 
ceive our prayer. Thou that sittest at 
the right hand of God the Father, have 
mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy : thou only 


176 


THE lord’s supper. [Ch 


i. 


art tlie Lord : thou only, O Christ, with 
the Holy Ghost, art most high in the 
glory of God the Father. Amen. 

Then ilie elder, if he see it expedient, '.nay put up an 
extemporaneous prayer; and aftericard shall let the 
people depart with this blessing: 

May the peace of God, which pass- 
cth all understanding, keep yonr hearts 
ax. d minds in the knowledge and love 
of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord ; and the blessing of God 
ALnighty, the Father, the Son, and 
the Holy Ghost, be among you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen. 

If the elder be straitened for time, he may omit any 
pari :>f the service, except the prayer of consecra- 
tion. 

f the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all 
have communicated, the elder may consecrate more, 
by repeating the prayer of consecration. 

^et those who have scruples concerning the receiving of 
the communion kneeling, be permitted to receive it 
either standing or sitting; but no person shall be ad- 
mitted to the Lord's Supper among us who is guilty 
of any practice for which ice wmld exclude a men* 
ber of our Church, 


Sec. 2.] 


BAPTISM or INFANTS. 


177 


SECTION II. 

THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO 
INFANTS. 

The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled 
with pure water, shall use the following, or some 
other suitable exhortation: 

Dearly beloved, forasmiieh as all 
men are conceived and born in sin, 
and that our Saviour Christ saitb, Ex- 
cept a man be born of water and of 
the Spirit, be cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God : I beseech you to call 
upon God the Father, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that of his boun- 
teous mercy he will grant to ihis child 
that which by nature he cannot have : 
that he may be baptized with water 
and the Holy Ghost, and received into 
ChrisCs holy Church, and be made a 
lively member of the same. 

Then shall the minister say. 

Let us pray. 


12 


i78 BAPTISM OF INFANTS. [Ch. 11. 

Almighty and everlasting God, we 
beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, 
that thou wilt looh upon this child : 
wash him and sanctify him with the 
Holy Ghost ; that he, being delivered 
from thy wrath, may be received into 
the ark of Christ’s Church, and being 
steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, 
and rooted in love, may so pass the 
waves of this troublesome world, that 
finally he may come to the land of ever- 
lasting life, there to reign with thee, 
world without end, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O merciful God, grant that the old 
Adam in this child may be so buried, 
that the new man may be raised up in 
him. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may 
die in him, and that all things belong- 
ing to the Spirit may live and grow in 
him. Amen. 


BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 


178 


Sec. 2 .] 

Grant that he may have power and 
strength to have victory, and to ‘tri- 
umph against the devil, the world, and 
the flesh. A7ne7i. 

Grant that whosoever is dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry may 
also be endued with heavenly virtues, 
and everlastingly rewarded through 
thy mercy, O blessed .^iK^rd God, who 
dost live and govern aJi things, world 
without end. A7nen. 

Almighty, ever -living God, whose 
most dearly beloved Son 7osus Christ, 
for the forgiveness of our sins . did shed 
out of his most precious side both water 
and blood, and ga re corcm^vdment 
to his disciples that they should go 
teach all nations, and baptize th'^m in 
the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holv Ghost: regard, 
we beseech thee, the supplication? of 
thy congregation ; and grant that 


ISO BAPTISM OF INFANTS. [CH. 11. 

child, now to be baptized, may receive 
the fullness of thy grace, and ever re- 
main in the number of thy faithful 
and elect children, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the people siaiid up ; and the minister shall 
sap, 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. Mark, 
m the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse. 

They brought young children to 
Christ, that he should touch them. 
And his disciples rebuked those that 
brought them ; but when Jesus saw it, 
he was much displeased, and said unto 
them. Suffer the little children to come 
unto me, and forbid them not, for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily 
I say unto you. Whosoever shall not 
receive the kingdom of God as a little 
child, he shall not enter therein. And 
he took them up in his arms, put his 
‘hands upon them, and blessed them. 


!81 


Sec. 2.J b.\ptism of infants. 

Then the minister, addressing the parents, or others 
presenting the child, shall say. 

In causing this child to be brought 
by baptism into the Church of Christ, 
it is your duty to teach him to renounce 
the devil and all his works, the vain 
pomp and glory of the woild, with all 
covetous desires of the same, and the 
carnal desires of the flesh, so that he 
may not follow or be led by them ; to 
believe all the articles of the Christian 
faith ; and to obediently keef) God’s 
lioly will and commandments all the 
days of his life. 

Then the minister shall lake the child into his hands, 
if convenient, and say to the friends of the child, 

Name this child. 

And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or 
pour water upon it, {or, if desired, immerse it in 
water), saying, 

N., I baptize thee in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 


/ 


182 


BAPTISM OF SUCH AS [Ch. 1L 


The minister may, at his discretion, lay hands on the 
subject, accompanying the act with a suitable invo- 
cation, and then, all kneeling, close with extempora- 
neous devotions and the Lord's Prayer. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name ; thy kingdom 
come ; thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven ; give us this day our 
daily bread ; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who tres- 
pass against us ; and lead us not into 
temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
Amen. 


SECTION III. 

THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO 

SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 

The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled 
with pure water, shall use the following, or some 
other suitable exhortation: 

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all 
men are conceived and born in sin, 
(and that which is born of the flesh is 


Sec. 3.] aef, of ripek tears. 183 

flesh, and they that are in the flesh can- 
not please God, but live in sin, com- 
mitting many actual transgressions,) 
and that our Saviour Christ saith, Ex- 
cept a man be born of water and of 
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God : I beseech you to 
call upon God the Father, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that of his boun- 
teous goodness he will grant to these 
'persons that which by nature they can- 
not have: that they may be baptized 
with water and the Holy Ghost, and 
received into Christ’s holy Church, and 
be made lively members of the same. 

Then shall the minister say. 

Almighty and immortal God, the 
aid of all that need, the helper of 
all that flee to thee for succor, the 
life of them that believe, and the res- 
urrection of the dead : we call upon 
thee for these persons now to be bap- 


181 BAPTISM OF SUCH AS [Ch. 11. 

tized. Keceive them, O Lord, as thou 
hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, 
saying, Ask, and ye shall receive ; 
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it 
shall be opened unto you : so give now 
unto us that ask ; let us that seek 
find ; open the gate unto us that knock ; 
that these persons may enjoy the ever- 
lasting benediction of thy heavenly 
washing, and may come to the eternal 
kingdom which thou hast promised by 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the people stand up, and the minister sha'.l 
snrj. 

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John, in 
the third chapter, beginning at the first verse: 

There was a man of the Pharisees, 
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews : 
the same came to Jesus by night, and 
said unto him. Rabbi, we know that 
thou art a teacher come from God ; 
for no man can do these miracles that 
thou doest, except God be with him. 


SZC. 3.] ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 


185 


Jesus ans^vered and said unto liim, 
Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except 
a man be born again, he cannot see 
the kingdom of God. Nicoderaus saith 
unto him. How can a man be born 
when he is old? Can he enter the 
second time into his mother’s womb, 
and be born ? Jesus answered. Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee. Except a man 
be l)orn of water, and of the Spirit, 
he cannot enter into the \ingdom of 
God. That which is born of the flesh 
is flesh ; and that which is born of the 
Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I 
said unto thee. Ye must be born again. 
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and 
thou hearest the sound thereof, but 
canst not tell whence it cometh, and 
whither it goeth ; so is every one that 
is born of the Spirit. 


7 ken the minister shall speak to the persons to be bap- 
tized on this wise : 


186 


BAPTISM OF SUCH AS [Ch. 11. 


Well-beloved, vlio are come Idther, 
desiring to receive holy baptism, ye 
have heard how the congregation hath 
prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ 
would vouchsafe to receive you, and 
bless you, to release you of your sins, 
to give you the kingdom of heaven, and 
everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus 
Christ hath promised in his holy word 
to grant all those things that we h*ave 
prayed for ; ^diich promise he for his 
part will most surely keep and perform. 

Wherefore after this promise made 
by Christ, ye must also faithfully, for 
your part, promise, in the presence of 
this whole congregation, that ye will 
renounce the devil and all his works, 
and constantly believe God’s holy word, 
and obediently keep his command- 
ments. 

Then shall the minister demand of each of the persona 
to be baptized, severally : 


187 


SfO. 3.] ARE OF RIPER TEARS. 

Ques. Dost thou renounce tlie devil 
and all his works, the vain pomp and 
glory of the world, with all covetous 
desires of the same, and the carnal de- 
sires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not 
follow or be led by them? 

Ans. I renounce them all. 

Ques. Dost thou believe in God the 
Father Almighty, maker of heaven 
and* earth ? and in Jesus Christ, his 
only begotten Son, our Lord? and that 
he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 
born of the Virgin Mary? that he suf- 
fered under Pontius Pilate, was cruci- 
fied, dead, and buried? that he rose 
again the third day? that he ascended 
into heaven, and sitteth at the right 
hand of God the Father Almighty, 
and from thence shall come again, at 
the end of the world, to judge the 
quick and the dead ? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy 


188 


BAPTISM OF SUCH AS [Ch. 11. 


Ghost, the Church of God, the com- 
munion of saints, the remission of 
sins, the resurrection of the body, and 
everlasting life after death ? 

Ans. All this I steadfastly believe. 

Ques. Wilt thou be baptized in this 
faith? 

Ans. This is my desire. 

Ques. Wilt thou then obediently 
keep God’s holy will and command- 
ments, and walk in the same all the 
days of thy life ? 

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God 
being my helper. 

Then shall the mimster say, 

0 merciful God, grant that the old 
Adam in these persons may be so buried, 
that the new man may be raised up in 
them. Amen. 

Grant that all carnal affections may 
die in them, and that all things belong- 


Sfc. 3 .] 


ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 


189 


ing to the Spirit may live and grow in 
t/im. A??ie?i, 

Grant that they may have power 
and strength to have victory, and to 
triumph against the devil, the world, 
and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that they, being here dedicated 
to thee by our office and ministry, may 
also be endued Avitli heavenly virtues, 
and everlastingly rewarded, through 
thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who 
dost live and govern all things, world 
without end. Amen. 

Almighty, ever-living God, whose 
most dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ, 
for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed 
out of his most precious side both 
water and blood; and gave command- 
ment to his disciples, that they should 
go teach all nations, and baptize them 
in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son. and of the Holy Ghost: regard, 


190 


BAPTISM. 


[Ch. 11. 


we beseecli thee, the supplications of 
this congregation ; and grant that the 
persons now to be baptized may receive 
the fullness of thy grace, and ever 
remain in the number of thy faithful 
and elect children, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

7'hen shall the minister take each person to he baptized 
by the right hand ; and placing him conveniently by 
the font, according to his discretion, shall ask the 
nawie; and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon 
him, (or, if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in 
water,) saying, 

N., I baptize thee in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

The minister may, at his discretion, lay hands on the 
subject, accompanying the act with a suitable invocO" 
tion. 


JSec. 4.] 


CHUECH-MEMBEKS. 


191 


SECTION IV. 

FORM OF THE RECEPTIOX AND REC- 
OGNITION OF CHURCH-MEMBERS. 

The minister shall cause the candidates to oe placed 
conveniently before the congregation, and after bap- 
tizing any who may not have been previously bap- 
tized, he shall say : 

Brethren, the Church is of God, and 
will be preserved to the end of time, 
for the promotion of his worship and 
the due administration of his word and 
ordinances — the maintenance of Chris- 
tian fellowship and discipline — the edi- 
fication of believers, and the conversion 
of the world. All, of every age and 
station, stand in need of the means of 
grace which it alone supplies ; and it 
invites all alike to become fellow-citi- 
zens with the saints and of the house- 
hold of God. But as none who h^^^e 
arrived at years of discretion can ^<3- 
main within its pales, or be admitted to 


192 EECEPTION AND KECOQNITION [Ch. 11. 

its communion, Avithout assuming its 
obligations, it is my duty to demand of 
these persons present whether they are 
resolved to assume the same. 

Then shall tlte minister address the candidates, as fol- 
lows : 

Dearly beloved, you profess to have 
a desire to flee from the wrath to 
come and to be saved from your sins ; 
you seek the fellowship of the people 
of God, to assist you in working out 
your salvation ; I therefore demand of 
you : 

Do you solemnly, in the presence of 
God and this congregation, ratify and 
confirm the promise and vow of re- 
pentance, faith, and obedience, con 
tained in the baptismal covenant ? 

Ans. I do, God being my helper. 

Will you be subject to the discipline 
of the Church, attend upon its ordi- 
nances, and support its institutions ? 


Sec. 4.] of chuech-membeks. 


193 


Ans. I will endeavor so to do, by 
the help of God. 

The minister shall then say to the candidates: 

We rejoice to recognize you as mem- 
bers of the Church of Christ, and bid 
you welcome to all its privileges ; and 
in token of our brotherly love, we give 
you the right-hand of fellowship, and 
pray that you may be both numbered 
with his people here, and with his saints 
in glory everlasting. 

The minister thall then say to the congreyation : 

Brethren, I commend to your love 
and care these persons whom we tliis 
day recognize as members of the 
Church of Christ. Do all in your 
power to increase their faith, confirm 
their hope, and perfect them in love. 

Then follow a hymn suitable to the occasion 
(as 881-889 j, and the minister shall say: 

Let ns pray. 

Almightv God, we- thank thee fo7 
13 


194 KECEPTION AND EECOGNITIOlSi [Ch. 11. 

founding thy Church, and promising 
that the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it. We bless thee for calling 
us to the fellowship of thy people, and 
for numbering us with the sons and 
daughters of the Lord Almighty. We 
especially praise thy name for enabling 
these thy servants to avouch the Lord 
to be their God. Help them to per- 
form the promise and vow which they 
have made ; to renounce the devil, the 
world, and the flesh ; to believe the 
record which thou hast given of thy 
Son ; and to walk in all thy command- 
ments and ordinances blameless, to the 
end of their lives. May their com- 
munion with thy people be sanctified to 
their growth in grace and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesjs Christ, being nourished and knit 
together, increasing with the increase 
of God. May thy people do them 


Sec. 4.] of church-membees. 


195 


good, and may they prove a blessing 
to thy people. And grant, O Lord, 
that all who are here members of thy 
militant Church, through thy mercy, 
the merit of thy Son, and the grace of 
thy Spirit, may finally be made mem- 
bers of thy triumphant Church in 
heaven. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, 
Heavenly Father, we give thee humble 
thanks, for that thou hast vouchsafed to 
call us to the knowledge of thy grace, 
and faith in thee: increase this knowl- 
edge and confirm this faith in us ever- 
more, Give thy Holy Spirit to these 
persons, that they, being born again, 
may be made heirs of everlasting sal- 
vation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee and 
the Holy Spirit, now and forever. 
Amen. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 


196 


MATRIMONY. 


[Ch, 11. 


lowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; 
thy will be done on earth as it is in 
lieaven ; give us this day our daily 
bread; and forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass 
against us; and lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 


SECTION V. 

THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF 
MATRIMONY. 

At the day and time appointed for the solemniza- 
tion of matrimony, the persons to be married (hav- 
ing been qualified according to law) standing to- 
gether, the man on the right hand and the woman 
on the left, the minister shall say: 

Dearly beloved, we are gathered to- 
gether here in the sight of God, and in 
the presence of these witnesses, to join 
together this man and this woman in 
holy matrimony; which is an honorable 


tJEC. S.] 


MATKIMOUT. 


197 


estate, instituted of God in the time of 
man’s innocency, signifying unto us th<3 
mystical union that is between Christ 
and his Church ; which holy estate 
Christ adorned and beautified with his 
presence, and first miracle that ho 
wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is com- 
mended of St. Paul to be honorable 
among all men; and therefore is not by 
any to be enterprised, or taken in hand 
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, 
advisedly, and in the fear of God. 

Into which holy estate these two 
persons present come now to be joined. 
Therefore if any can show any just 
cause why they may not lawfully be 
joined together, let him now speak, or 
else hereafter forever hold his peace. 

A'ld also speaking unto the persons that are to be mar- 
ried, he shall say, 

I require and charge you both, (as 
ye will answer at the dreadful day of 


198 


MATRIMONY. 


[CH. 11 


judgment, when the secrets of all hearts 
shall be disclosed,) that if either of you 
know any impediment why ye may not 
be lawfully joined together in matri- 
mony, ye do now confess it ; for be ye 
well assured, that so many as are 
coupled togeth-er otherwise than God’s 
word doth allow, are not joined to- 
gether by God, neither is their matri- 
mony lawful. 

I] no impediment be alleged, then shall the minister 
say unto the man, 

M., Wilt thou have this woman to 
thy wedded wife, to live together after 
God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of 
matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, com- 
fort her, honor, and keep her, in sick- 
ness and in health ; and, forsaking all 
other, keep thee only unto her, so long 
as ye both shall live? 

The man shall answer, 

1 will. 


Sjec. 5.] 


MATEIMONY. 


199 


Then shall the minister say unto the woman. 

iV., Wilt thou have this man to thy 
wedded husband, to live together after 
God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of 
matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, 
serve him, love, honor, and keep him, 
in sickness and in health; and, for- 
saking all other, keep thee only unto 
him, so long as ye both shall live? 

The woman shall answer, 

I will. 

W hen the parties so desire, the man shall give unto 
the woman a ring ; and the minister taking the 
ring shall deliver it unto the man. to put it upon 
the fourth finger of the woman’s left hand; and 
the man, holding the ring there, and taught by 
the minister, shall say. 

With this ring I thee wed, and with 
all my worldly goods I thee endow : in 
the name of the Father, and of the 
SoOj^ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen 

Then shall the minister say. 

Let us pray. 


200 MATRIMONY. [Ch. 11 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; 
thy will be done on earth, as it is 
in heaven ; give us this day our daily 
bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass 
against us; and lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil; for 
thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. 

O eternal God, Creator and Pre- 
server of all mankind. Giver of all 
spiritual grace, the Author of everlast- 
ing life, send thy blessing upon these 
thy servants, this man and this woman, 
whom we bless in thy name ; that as 
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully to- 
gether, so these persons may surely 
perform and keep the vow and cove- 
■ int between them made, and may 
.wer remain in perfect love and peace 
'ogether, and live according to thy 


Sec. 5.] 


MATRIMONY. 


201 


laws, tlirough Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Ame7i. 

Then shc,ll the minister join their nght hands to 
g ether i and say, 

Those whom God liath joined to- 
gether, let no man put asunder. 

Forasmuch as M. and N. have con- 
sented together in holy wedlock, and 
have witnessed the same before God 
and this company, and thereto have 
pledged their faith either to other, and 
have declared the same by joining 
hands, I pronounce that they are man 
and wife together, in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

And the minister shall add this blessing: 

God the Father, God the Son, God 
the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and 
keep you ; the Lord mercifully with 
his favor look upon you ; and so fill 
you with all spiritual benediction and 


202 


BURIAL OF THE DEAD, [Ch. 11 


grace, that ye may so live together in 
this life, that in the world to come ye 
may have life everlasting. Amen. 


SECTION VI. 

THE ORDER OF THE BURIAL OF THE 
DEAD. 

I'he minister, meeting the corpse, and going before it, 
shall say, 

lam the resurrection and the life* 
he that believeth in me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live ; and who- 
soever liveth, and believeth in me, 
shall never die. John xi. 25, 26. 

I know that my Redeemer liveth, 
and that he shall stand at the latter 
day upon the earth ; and though after 
my skin worms destroy this body, yet 
in my flesh shall I see God : whom I 
shall see for myself, and mine eyes 
shall behold, and not another. Job 
xix. 25-27. 


Sec. 6,] burial of the dead. 20cj 

We brought nothing into this world, 
and it is certain we can carry nothing 
out. The Lord gave, and the Lord 
hath taken away : blessed be the name 
of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. 7 ; Job i. 21. 

After they are come into the church or house, shall le 
' read Psabn xc. 

Lord, thou hast been our dw’el ling- 
place in all generations. 

Before the mountains were brought 
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the 
earth and the world, even from ever- 
lasting to everlasting, thou art God. 

Thou turnest man to destruction ; 
and sayest. Return, ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight 
are but as yesterday when it is past, 
and as a watch in the night. 

Thou carriest them away as with a 
flood : they are as a sleep : in the 
morning they are like grass which 
groweth up. 


20-4 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [Ch. 11, 

111 the morning it flourisheth, and 
groweth up; in the evening it is cut 
down, and withereth. 

For we are consumed by thine anger, 
and by thy wrath are we troubled. 

Thou hast set our iniquities before 
thee, our secret sins in the light of thy 
countenance. 

For all our days are passed away in 
thy wrath : we spend our years as a 
tale that is told. 

The days of our years are three- 
score years and ten ; and if by reason 
of strength they be fourscore years, 
yet is their strength labor and sorrow ; 
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 

Who knoweth the power of thine 
anger? even according to thy fear, so 
is thy wrath. 

So teach us to number our days, 
that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom. 


Sec. 6 '.] bueial of the dead. 205 

Return, O Lord, how long? and let 
it repent thee concerning thy servant.^. 

O satisfy us early with thy mercy ; 
that we may rejoice and be glad all 
our days. 

Make us glad according to the days 
wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the 
years wherein we have seen evil. 

Let thy work appear unto thy serv- 
ants, and thy glory unto their children. 

And let the beauty of the Lord our 
God be upon us; and establish thou 
the work of our hands upon us ; yea, 
the w'ork of our hands establish thou it. 

Then shall follow the Lesson, 1 Cor. xv. 20-58, or the 
following abridgment; 

Now is Christ risen from the dead, 
and become the first-fruits of them that 
slept. For since by man came death, 
by man came also the resurrection of 
the dead. For as in Adam all die, 
even so in Christ shall all be made 


206 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [Ch. 11 

alive. But every man in his own order : 
Christ the first-fruits ; afterward they 
that are Christ’s at his coming. Then 
cometh the end, when he shall have 
delivered up the kingdom to God, even 
the Father; when he shall have put 
down all rule, and all authority, and 
power. For he must reign, till he hath 
put all enemies under his feet. The 
last enemy that shall be destroyed is 
death. For he hath put all things under 
his feet. — But some man will say, 
How are the dead raised up ? and 
with what body do they come? Thou 
fool, that which thou so west is not 
quickened except it die: and that which 
thou so west, thou sowest not that body 
that shall be, but bare grain ; it may 
chance of wheat, or of some other grain : 
but God giveth it a body as it hath 
pleased him, and to every seed his 
own body. All flesh is not the same 


Sec. 6.] BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 20/ 

flesh ; but there is one kind of flesh ot 
men, another flesh of beasts, another 
of fishes, and another of birds. There 
are also celestial bodies, and bodies 
terrestrial : but the glory of the celes- 
tial is one, and the glory of the terres- 
trial is another. There is one glory of 
the sun, and another glory of the 
moon, and another glory of the stars ; 
for one star diflereth from another star 
in glory. So also is the resurrection 
of the dead. It is sown in corruption, 
it is raised in incorruption : it is sown 
in dishonor, it is raised in glory : it is 
sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 
it is sown a natural body, it is raised 
a spiritual body. — Behold, I show' you a 
mystery: We shall not all sleep, but 
we shall all be changed, in a moment, 
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, 
and the dead shall be raised incorrupt- 


208 BUEIAL OF THE DEAD. [Ch. 11. 

ible, and we shall be changed, l^or 
this corruptible must put on incorruj)- 
tion, and this mortal must put on im- 
mortality. So when this corruptible 
shall have put on incorruption, and 
this mortal shall have put on immor- 
tality, then shall be brought to pass 
the saying that is written. Death is 
swallowed up in victory. O death, 
where is thy sting? O grave, where 
is thy victory ? The sting of death is 
sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 
Ihit thanks be to God, which giveth us 
the victory, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Therefore, my beloved breth- 
ren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord, 
forasmuch as ye know that your labor 
is not in vain in the Lord. 

Here mai/ follow a suitable hj/mn, a sermon, or ex- 
hortation. and an extemporary prayer. 

At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, fM 
minister shall say, 


£C. 6.] BUKIitL or THE DEAD. 209 

Man that is born of a woman is of 
few da^^s, and full of trouble. He 
cometh forth like a flower, and is cut 
down : he fleeth also as a shadow, and 
con tin lie tli not. 

In the midst of life we are in death : 
of whom may we seek for succor, but 
of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art 
justly displeased ? 

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord 
most mighty, O holy and most mer- 
ciful Saviour, deliver us not into the 
bitter pains of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of 
our hearts: shut not thy merciful ears 
to our prayers, ^ut spare us. Lord most 
holy, O God most mighty, O holy and 
merciful Saviour, thou most worthy 
Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last 
hour for any pains of death to fall 
from thee. 

Then the minister may say^ 

14 


210 BUKrAL OF THE DEAD. [Ch. 11. 

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Al- 
mighty God, in his wise providence, to 
take out of this world the soul of our 
deceased brother, we therefore commit 
his body to the ground, earth to earth, 
ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking 
for the general resurrection in the last 
day, and the life of the world to come, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ; at 
whose second coming in glorious ma- 
jesty to judge the world, the earth 
and the sea shall give up their dead ; 
and the corruptible bodies of those 
who sleep in him shall be changed, 
and made like unto his own glorious 
body, according to the mighty work- 
ing whereby he is able to subdue all 
things unto himself. 

Then shall be said, 

I heard a voice from heaven, say- 
ing unto me. Write, Blessed are the 
dead which die in the Lord from hence- 


SeO. 6.] BURIAL or THE DEAD. 


211 


forth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they 
may rest from their labors. 

A suitable hymn may here be sung ; and then shall the 
minister say, 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom 
come ; thy will be done on earth, as it 
is in heaven ; give us this day our 
daily bread ; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us ; and lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 
The Collect. 

O merciful God, the Father of oui 
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrec- 
tion and the life ; in whom whosoever 
believeth shall live, though he die; 
and whensoever liveth and believeth 
in him, shall not die eternally: we 
meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise 
us from the death of sin unto the life 
of righteousness; that when we shall 


212 


BtEIAL OF THE DEAD. [Ch. 11. 

depart this life we may rest in him ; 
and at the general resurrection on the 
last day may be found acceptable in 
thy sight, and receive that blessing 
which thy well-beloved Son shall then 
pronounce to all that love and fear 
thee, saying. Come, ye blessed of my 
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 
for you from the foundation of the 
world. Grant this, we beseech thee, 
O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ 
our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and th3 love of God, and the com- 
munion of the Holy Ghost, be with 
you all. Ameiii, 


Sec. 7.] laying the cornee-stone. 


213 


SECTION VII. 

FORM OF LAYING THE CORNER-STONE 
OF A CHURCH. 

At the time and place of laying the corner-stone, let the 
minister cause a suitable hymn to he sung (e. g. 780, 
781, or 782.) Then shall the minister say : 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, thou 
art infinite in all thy perfections, and 
marvelous in all thy works. Thou 
hast made the world and all things 
therein ; and seeing that thou art Lord 
of heaven and earth, thou dwellest not 
in temples made with hands : thou art 
a Spirit, and art worshiped in spirit 
and in truth, in all places of thy domin- 
ion ; yet we thank thee that thou dost 
allow us to build houses for thy service, 
wherein thy people may attend upon 
thee without distraction. We bless thy 
holy name for putting it into the hearts 
of thy people to build a house, at this 


214 LAYING THE COENER-STOKE [Ch. 11. 

place, for thy worship. We beseech 
thee to inspire us with zeal, that we may 
both have a mind to the work, and may 
successfully accomplish the same. IMay 
neither adversary nor evil occurrent 
liinder this work ; but may the good 
hand of our God be upon us, that 
in due time \ve may bring forth the 
head-stone with joy and praise. May 
this sanctuary, when completed, long 
remain a house of prayer for all peo- 
ple, where incense shall be offered unto 
thy name, and a pure offering, and tliy 
word and ordinances sliall be duly ad- 
ministered, accompanied by the influ- 
ences of the Holy Ghost. Here may 
multitudes be born again, and be nur- 
tured in knowledge and piety; so that 
they may be prepared, in the kingdom 
of tliy grace, for nobler worship in the 
kingdom of thy glory. We are un- 
worthy, O Lord, through our manifold 


Sec. 7.j 


OF A CHURCH. 


215 


sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice ; yet 
we beseech thee to accept this our 
bounden duty and service, not weigh- 
ing our merits, but pardoning our 
offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord : 
by whom and with whom, in the unity 
of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory 
be unto thee, Father Almighty, world 
without end. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, 
with thy most gracious favor, and fur- 
ther us with thy continual help ; that 
in all our works, begun, continued, 
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy 
holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, 
obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; 
thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
heaven; give us this day our daily 
bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, 


2] 6 LAYIKQ THE COENER-STONE [Ch. 1L 

as we forgive those who trespass against 
us; and lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Then shall the minister read, or cause to be read., the 
following sentences : 

Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel 
our Father, forever and ever. 

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and 
the power, and the glory, and the vic- 
tory, and the majesty ; for all that is 
in the heaven and in the earth is thine ; 
thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and 
thou art exalted as head above all. 

Both riches and honor come of thee, 
and thou reignest over all ; and in thine 
hand is power and might ; and in thine 
hand it is to make great, and to give 
strength unto all. 

Now, therefore, our God, we thank 
thee, and praise thy glorious name. 

But who am I, and what is my peo- 
ple, that we should be able to offer so 


OF A CHURCH. 


217 


Sec. 7.] 

willingly after this sort? for all things 
come of thee, and of thine own have 
we given thee. 

For we are strangers before thee, and 
sojourners, as were all our fathers : our 
days on the earth are as a shadow, and 
there is none abiding. 

0 Lord our God, all this store that 
we have prepared to build thee a house 
for thine holy name cometh of thine 
hand, and is all thine own. 

1 know also, my God, that thou tries t 
the heart, and hast pleasure in upright- 
ness. As for me, in the uprightness of 
mine heart I have willingly offered all 
these things ; and now have I seen 
with joy thy people, which are present 
here, to offer willingly unto thee. 

Except the Lord build the house, 
they labor in vain that build it : except 
the Lord keep the city, the watchman 
waketli but in vain. 


218 LAYING THE COENEE-STONE [Ch. 11. 

Let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
vants, and thy glory unto their chil- 
dren. 

And let the beauty of the Lord our 
God be upon us ; and establish thou 
the work of our hands upon us ; yea, 
the work of our hands establish thou it. 

His foundation is in the holy mount- 
ains. 

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion 
more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 

For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he 
hath desired it for his habitation. 

This is my rest forever : here will I 
dwell : for I have desired it. 

I will abundantly bless her provis- 
ion : I will satisfy her poor with bread. 

I will also clothe her priests with 
salvation, and her saints shall shout 
aloud for joy. 

The stone which the builders refused 
is become the head-stone of the corner. 


Sec. 7.] 


OF A CHUECH. 


219 


This is the Lord’s doing ; it is mar- 
velous in our eyes. 

For other foundation can no man 
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus 
Christ. D 

Then shall the minister, standing by the stone, an- 
nounce the articles to he deposited therein. Those 
may be a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Book, the 
•Discipline, Church periodicals, a document setting 
forth the name of the Church, with the names of the 
pastor, trustees, and building committee, and such 
other articles as may be desired. The stone shall 
then be laid by the minister, or some one appointed 
by him; and placing his hand upon the stone, the 
minister shall say : 

We lay this corner-stone of a house 
to be built and set apart, from all 
worldly uses, for divine worship, in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then may follow an address, the collection, {if any,) 
the Doxology, and Benediction 


^20 


DEDICATION OE A CHURCH. [Ch. 11 


SECTION VIII. 

FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A 
• CHURCH. 

Let the service be conducted as on other occasions of 
public worship — only the hymns, (e. g. 783-790,) 
prayers, lessons, and sermons, should be adapted to 
theoccasion. The lessons may be Oen. xxviii. 10-22, 
and Heb. a. 19-25, or any other, at the discretion of 
the minister. 

First Lesson. Gen. xxviii. 10-22. 

And Jacob went out from Beer- 
slieba, and went toward Haran. And 
he lighted upon a certain place, and tar- 
ried there all night, because the sun was 
set ; and he took of the stones of that 
place, and put them for his pillows, and 
lay down in that place to sleep. And 
he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set 
up on the earth, and the top of it 
reached to heaven ; and behold, the 
angels of God ascending and descend- 
ing on it. And behold, the Lord stood 
above it, and said, I am the Lord God 


Sec. 8 .] dedication of a church. 221 

of Abraham tliy father, and the God 
of Isaac : the land whereon thow liest, 
to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. 
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the 
earth ; and thou shalt spread abroad 
to the west, and to the east, and to the 
north, and to the south ; and in thee 
and in thy seed shall all the families of 
the earth be blessed. And behold, I 
am with thee, and will keep thee in all 
places whither thou goest, and will 
bring thee again into this land ; for I 
will not leave thee, until I have done 
that which I have spoken to thee of. 
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, 
and he said. Surely the Lord is in this 
place; and I knew it not. And he 
was afraid, and said, How dreadful is 
this place ! this is none other but the 
house of God, and this is the gate of 
heaven. And Jacob rose up early in 
the morning, and took the stone thal 


222 DEDICATION OF A CHUECH. [Ch. 11. 

he had put for his pillows, and set it 
up for a pillar, and poured oil upon 
the top of it. And he called the name 
of that place Bethel ; but the name of 
that city was called Luz at the first. 
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying. If 
God will be with me, and will keep me 
in this way that I go, and will give me 
bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 
so that I come again to my father’s 
house in peace ; then shall the Lord be 
my God : and this stone, which I have 
set for a pillar, shall be God’s house : 
and of all that thou shalt give me I 
will surely give the tenth unto thee. 

Second Lesson. Heb. x. 19-25. 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness 
to enter into the holiest by the blood of 
Jesus, by a new and living way, which 
he hath consecrated for us, through 
the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and 
waving an high-priest over the house 


6eC. 8 .] DEDICATION OF A CHUECH. 223 

of God ; let us draw near with a true 
heart, in full assurance of faith, having 
our hearts sprinkled from an evil con- 
science, and our bodies washed with 
pure water. Let us hold fast the pro- 
fession of our faith without wavering ; 
for he is faithful that promised : and 
let us consider one another, to provoke 
unto love, and to good works : not for- 
saking the assembling of ourselves 
together, as the manner of some is; 
but exhorting one another ; and so 
much the more, as ye see the day ap- 
proaching. 

The collection {if any) may follow the nermon. The 
officers of the Church shall then address the minister 
in the following language: 

We present to you this house, to be 
set apart from all unhallowed or com- 
mon uses, for the worship of Almighty 
God. 

Then shall the minister request the congregation to 
stand up,ivhile he pronotinces the following Sentence 
of Dedication: 


224 DEDICATION OF A CHUECH. [CH. 11. 

Sentence of Dedication. 

Forasmuch as God has put it into 
the hearts of his people to build this 
house for his worship, and has blessed 
them in their undertaking, we solemnly 
dedicate it to his service, for the reading 
and expounding of his holy word, the 
administration of his ordinances, and 
for all other acts of religious worship. 
That he may graciously accept tiiis 
labor of our hands, let us devoutly pray. 

Then shall be said, all kneeling : 

Almighty and everlasting God, the 
heaven, and the heaven of heavens, 
cannot contain thee, much less this 
house which we have built ; yet thou 
dost humble thyself to behold the in- 
habitants of the earth, and dost prom- 
ise that in all places where thou dost 
record thy name thou wilt meet with 
thy people, and bless them. Let thy 
name be recorded in this place, and 


Sec. 8.] dedication of a church. 225 

here let thine honor dwell. Preserve 
this house, which we set apart to thy ser- 
vice, from injury and desecration. Ac- 
cept the worship which shall be* hero 
ofiered to thy name. Let thy Holv 
Spirit accompany thy "word and ordi- 
nances, which shall be here adminis- 
tered, so that they may prove means 
of grace to all who shall receive the 
same. May many sons and daughters bo 
here born to the Lord Almighty. Let 
thy people be abundantly satisfied with 
the fatness of thy house, and make them 
drink of the river of thy pleasures. 
Let their children be here fed with 
food convenient for them, and be 
brought up in the nurture and admo- 
nition of the Lord. Let living waters 
go forth from this sanctuary, carrying 
life and joy to all around. Let thy 
work appear unto thy servants,, and 
thy glory unto their children ; and' let 
15 


226 DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. [Ch. 11 

the beauty of the Lord our God be 
upon us ; and establish thou the work 
of our hands upon us, yea, the work of 
our hands establish thou it. Now, 
therefore, arise, O Lord God, into thy 
resting-place, thou and the ark of thy 
strength : let thy ministers be clothed 
with salvation, and let thy saints re- 
joice in goodness. We beseech thee, 
O Lord, to overlook our unworthiness, 
forgive our sins, and make us a habita- 
tion of God through the Spirit. We 
offer all our offerings through the ever- 
blessed name of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee, and 
the Holy Spirit, be glory and majesty, 
dominion and powder, both now and 
ever. Amen. 

The service may then be^concluded with the Doxolo^ 
and Benediction. 


Sec. 9.] ordinatiok of deacons. 


227 


SECTION IX. 

THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAIN- 
ING DEACONS. 

(ITicn the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after a 
suitable sermon or exhortation, one of the eldcrt 
thall present unto the Bishop all them that are to 
be ordained, and say. 

I present unto you these persons 
present, to be ordained deacons. 

Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall 
say unto the people : 

Brethren, if there be any of you who 
knoweth any impediment or crime 
in any of these persons presented to be 
ordained deacons, for the which he 
ouglit not to be admitted to that office, 
let him come forth in the name of God, 
and show vNdiat the crime or impedi- 
ment is. 

2f any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop 
shall surcease from ordaining that j)erson, until 
such time as the party accused shall be found cleat 
cf that crime. 


228 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. [CH 11. 

Then shall be read the following Colleat 
The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy divine 
providence hast appointed divers or- 
ders of ministers in thy Church, and 
didst inspire thy apostles to choose 
into the order of deacons thy first mar- 
tyr, St. Stephen, with others : inerci 
fidly behold these thy servants, now 
called to the like office and administra- 
tion : replenish them so with the truth 
of thy doctrine, and adorn them with 
innocency of life, that both by word 
and good example they may faithfully 
serve thee in this office, to the glory of 
thy name, and the edification of thy 
Church, through the merits of our Sav- 
iour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reign- 
eth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now 
and forever. Amen, 

Then the Bishop, or one of the elders appointed 6ij 
hwi, shall read the Epistle. 


Sec. &.] OEDINATION OF DEACOKS. 229 

The Epistle. 1 Tim, iii. 8-13. 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, 
not double-tongued, not given to much 
wine, not greedy of filthy lucre : hold- 
ing the mystery of the faith in a pure 
conscience. And let these also first be 
|)roved ; then let them use the office of 
a deacon, being found blameless. Even 
so must their wives be grave, not slan- 
derers, sober, faithful in all things. 
Let the deacons be the husbands of one 
wife, ruling their children and their 
own houses well. For they that have 
used the office of a deacon well, pur- 
chase to themselves a good degree, and 
great boldness in the faith which is in 
Christ Jesus. 

Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who 
are to be ordained, in the presence of the people-, 
after this manner following : 

Do you trust that you are inwardly 
moved by the Holy Ghost to take u} ju 


2S0 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. [Ch. 11. 

you the office of the miuistry in the 
Church of Christ, to serve God for the 
promoting of his glory and the edifying 
of his people ? 

Arts. I trust so. 

The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly be- 
lieve all the canonical Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testament? 

Ans. I do believe them. 

The Bishop. Will you diligently read 
or expound the same unto the people 
whom you shall be appointed to serve ? 

Ans. I will. 

The Bishop. It appertaineth to the 
office of a deacon to assist the elder in 
Divine service, and especially when he 
ministere.b the holy communion, to 
help him in the distribution thereof, 
and to lead and expound the Holy 
Scriptures ; to instruct the youth ; and 
in the absence of the elder to baptize. 

And, turthermmre, it is his office to 


SeO. 9.] OEDINATION OF DEACQES 


231 


search for the sick, poor, and impotent, 
that they may be visited and relieved. 

Will you do this gladly and wil- 
lingly ? 

Am. I will do so, by the help of God. 

The Bishop. Will you apply all your 
diligence to frame and fashion your 
own lives (and the lives of your fami- 
lies) according to the doctrine of Christ ; 
and to make (both) yourselves, (and 
them,) as much as in you lieth, whole- 
some examples of the flock of Christ ? 

Am. I will do so, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you reverently 
obey them to whom the charge and 
government over you is committed, fol- 
lowing with a glad mind and will their 
godly admonitions ? 

Am. I will endeavor so to do, the 
Lord being my helper. 

Then the Bishop^ laying his hands severally upon Oto 
head of ever j, me of them, shall say, 


232 OEDHTATION OF DEACONS. [Ch. 11. 

Take thou authority to execute the 
office of a deacon in the Church of 
God ; in the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then shall the Bishop deliver to eve'-y one of them the 
Holy Bible, saying, 

Take thou authority to read the 
Holy Scriptures in the Church of God, 
and to preach the same. 

Tlien one of them appointed by the Bishop shall read 
the Gospel. 

The Qospel. Luke xii. 35-38. 

Let your loins be girded about, and 
your lights burning, and ye yourselves 
like unto men that wait for their lord, 
when he will return from the wedding, 
that when he cometh and knocketh, 
they may open unto him immediately. 
Blessed are those servants whom the 
lord when he cometh shall find watch- 
ing. Verily I say unto you, that he 
shall gird himself and make them to 


Sec. 9.J ordination of deacons. 233 

sit down to meat, and will come forth 
and serve them. And if he shall comt 
in the second watch, or come in the 
third watch, and find them so, blessed 
are those servants. 

Immediately before the benedietion shall be said these 
Collects following : 

Almighty God, giver of all good 
things, who of thy great goodness hast 
vouchsafed to accept and take these 
thy servants into the office of deacons 
in thy Church : make them, we beseech 
thee, 0 Lord, to be modest, humble, 
and constant in their ministration, and 
to have a ready will to observe all 
spiritual discipline ; that they having 
always the testimony of a good con- 
science, and continuing ever stable and 
strong in thy Son Christ, may so well 
behave themselves in this inferior of- 
fice, that they may be found worthy to 
be called unto the higher ministries ii 


^34 OEDIlSrATIOJSr OF DEACONS. [Ch. 11. 

thy Church, through the same thy Sou 
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom be 
glory and honor, world without end. 
Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, 
with thy most gracious favor, and fur- 
ther us with thy continual help ; that 
in all our works, begun, continued, and 
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy 
name, and finally, by thy mercy, ob- 
tain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Benediction. 

The peace of God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and 
minds in the knowledge and love of 
God, and^of his Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord ; and the blessing of God Al- 
mighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, be among you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen. 


Sec. 10 .] OEDINATION OF ELDEBS. 


23a 


SECTION X. 

THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAIN- 
ING ELDERS. 

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come. i>>ere 
shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the dull, 
and office of such as come to be admitted eldrrs ; hvw 
necessary that order is in the Church of Christ, a7?(i 
also how the people ought to esteem them in tticir 
office. After tvhich one of the elders shall present 
unto the Bishop all them that are to be ordained, 
and say, 

I present unto you these persons 
present, to be ordained elders. 

Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall 
say unto the people : 

Brethren, these are they whom we 
purpose, God willing, this day to ordain 
elders. For after due examination, we 
find not to the contrary, but that they 
are lawfully called to this function and 
ministry, and that they are persons 
meet for the same. But if there be any 
of you who knoweth any impediment 


236 OEDINATION OF ELDEES. [Ch. 11. 

or crime in any of them, for the which 
he ought not to be received into tliis 
lioly ministry, let him come forth in 
the name of God, and show what tlie 
crime or impediment is. 

!f any crime or impediment be objected, the Bixhop 
nhall surcease from ordaining that person, until such 
time as the party accused shall be found clear of that 
crime. 

Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as 
followeth : 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, giv’^er of all good 
things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast 
appointed divers orders of ministers in 
thy Church, mercifully behold tliese 
thy servants, now called to the office of 
elder, and replenish them so with the 
truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them 
with innocency of life, that, both by 
word and good example, they may 
faithfully serve thee in this office, to 
the glory of thy name, and the edifica- 


Sec. 10.] OEDiNATiON of eldees. 237 

tion of thy Church, through the merits 
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who li vet h 
and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, world without end. Amen. 

The Epistle. Eph. iv- 7-13. 

Unto every one of us is given grace 
according to the measure of the gift of 
Christ Wherefore he saith. When lie 
ascended up on high, he led captivity 
captive, and gave gifts unto men.' 
(Now that he ascended, what is it but 
that he also descended first into the 
lower parts of the earth ? He that de- 
scended is the same also that ascended 
up far above all heavens, that he might 
fill all things.) And he gave some, 
apostles ; and some, prophets ; and 
some, evangelists; and some, pastors 
and teachers ; for the perfecting of the 
saints, for the work of the ministry, for 
the edifying of the body of Christ, till 
we all come in the unity of the faith. 


238 OEDINATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 31. 

and of the knowledge of the Son of 
God, unto a perfect man, unto the 
measure of the stature of the fullness of 
Christ. 

The Gospel. St. John x, 1-16. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He 
that entereth not by the door into the 
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other 
way, the same is a thief and a robber. 
'But he that entereth in by the door, is 
the shepherd of the sheep. To him the 
porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his 
voice : and he calleth his own sheep by 
name, and leadeth them out. And 
when he putteth forth his own sheep, 
he goeth before them, and the sheep 
follow him : for they know his voice. 
And a stranger will they not follow, 
but will flee from him : for they know 
not the voice of strangers. This para- 
ble spake Jesus unto them ; but they 
understood not what things they were 


Sec. 10.] OEDiNATioi:.OF elders. 


239 


which he spake unto them. Then said 
Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, 
I say unto you, I am the door of the 
sheep^ All that ever came before me 
are thieves and robbers : but the sheep 
did not hear them. I am the door : by 
me if any man enter in, he shall be 
saved, and shall go in and out, and find 
pasture. The thief cometh not, but for 
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy : I 
am come that they might have life, and 
that they might have it more abun- 
dantly. I am the good shepherd : the 
good shepherd giveth his life for the 
sheep. But he that is an hireling, and 
not the shepherd, whose own the sheep 
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leav- 
etli the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf 
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 
The hireling fleeth, because he is an 
hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I 
am the good shepherd, and know my 


240 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 11. 

sheep, and am known of mine. As tlie 
Father knoweth me, even so know I 
the Father: and I lay down my life 
for the sheep. And other sheep I have, 
which are not of this fold : them also I 
must bring, and they shall hear my 
voice ; and there shall be one fold, and 
one shepherd. 

And that done, the Bishop shall say unto them as hore~ 
after folluweth : 

You have heard, brethren, as well in 
your private examination, (as in the ex- 
hortation which was now made to you,) 
and in the holy lessons taken out of 
the Gospel, and the writings of the 
apostles, of what dignity, and of how 
great importance, this office is, where- 
imto ye are called. And now again 
we exhort you, in the name of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that you have in 
remembrance into how high a dignity, 
and to how weighty an office ye are 


Sec. 10. J oedination of elders. 


241 


called : that is to say, to be messengers, 
watchmen, and stewards of the Lord ; to 
teach, and to premonish, to feed and 
provide for the Lord’s family ; to seek 
for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed 
abroad, and for his children who are in 
the midst of this evil world, that they 
may be saved through Christ forever. 

AVe have good hope that you have 
all weighed and pondered these things 
with yourselves long before this time; 
and that you have clearly determined, 
by God’s grace, to give yourselves 
wholly to this office, whereunto it hath 
pleased God to call you : so that, as 
much as lieth in you, you wi.ll apply 
yourselves vrholly to this one thing, and 
draw all your cares and studies this way, 
and that you will continually pray to 
God the Father, through the mediation 
of ouronly Saviour Jesus Christ, for the 
heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost ; 

16 


2^*3 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [OE. 11. 

that by daily reading and weighing of 
the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and 
stronger in your ministry ; and that ye 
may so endeavor yourselves from time 
to time to sanctify the lives of you and 
yours, and to fashion them after the 
rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye 
may be wholesome and godly examples 
and patterns for the people to follow. 

And now that this present congrega- 
tion of Christ, here assembled, may 
also understand your minds and wills in 
these things, and that this your prom- 
ise may the more move you to do your 
duties, ye shall answer plainly to these 
things, which we, in the name of God 
and of his Church, shall demand of 
you touching the same. 

Do you think in your heart that you 
are truly called, according to the will 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the order 
of elders ? 


Sec. 10.] oEDixATioN of eldees. 243 

Ans. I think so. 

The Bishop. Are you persuaded that 
the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently 
all doctrine required of necessity for 
eternal salvation through faith in Jesus 
Christ? And are you determined, out 
of the said Scriptures, to instruct the 
people committed to your charge, and 
to teach nothing, as required of neces- 
sity to eternal salvation, but that which 
you shall be persuaded may be con- 
cluded and proved by the Scripture ? 

Ans. I am so persuaded, and have 
so determined, by God’s grace. 

The Bishop. Will you then give your 
faithful diligence, always so to minister 
the doctrine and sacraments, and the 
discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath 
commanded ? 

Ans. I will so do, by the help of the 
Lord. 

The Bishop. Will you be ready with 


244 


ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 11. 


all faithful diligence to banish and 
drive away all erroneous and strange 
doctrines contrary to God’s word ; and 
to use both public and private moni- 
tions and exhortations, as well to the 
sick as to the whole within your charge, 
as need shall require, and occasion shall 
be given ? 

Ans. I will, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you be diligent in 
prayers, and in reading of the Holy 
Scriptures, and in such studies as help 
to the knowledge of the same, laying 
aside the study of the world and the 
flesh ? 

I will endeavor so to do, the 
Lord being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you be diligent to 
‘rame and fashion yourselves, and your 
families, according to the doctrine of 
Christ; and to make both’ yourselves 


Sec. 10.] ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 245 

and them, as much as in you lieth, 
v/holesome examples and patterns to 
the flock of Christ? 

Am. I shall apply myself thereto, 
the Lord being my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you maintain and 
set forward, as much as lieth in you, 
quietness, peace, and love, among all 
Christian people, and especially among 
them that are or shall be committed to 
your charge ? 

Ans» I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 

The Bishop. Will you reverently 
obey your chief ministers, unto whom 
is committed the charge and govern- 
ment over you ; following with a glad 
mind and will their godly admonitions, 
submitting yourselves to their godly 
judgments ? 

Am. I will so do, the Lord being my 
helper. 


246 


ORDIKATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 1L 


Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say, 

Almighty God, who hath given you 
this will to do all these things, grant 
also unto you strength and power to per- 
form the same ; that he may accomplish 
his work which he hath begun in you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

After this the congregation shall be desired secretly 
in their prayers to make their humble supplicationa 
P) God for all these things : for which prayers thc^e 
shall be silence kept for a space. 

After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the persons 
to be ordained elders all kneeling,) Veni, Creator, 
Spiritus ; the Bishop beginning, and the elders and 
others that are present answering by verses, as fair 
loweth : 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire. 
And lighten with celestial fire. 

Thou the anointing Spirit art. 

Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart. 
Thy blessed unction from above 
Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
Enable with perpetual light 
The didlness of our blinded sight. 


Sec. 10.] ORDINATION of elders. 247 

Anoint and cheer onr soiled face 
With the abundance of thy grace. 
Keep far onr foes, give peace at home, 
Where thou art guide no ill can come. 
Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee of both, to be but one 
That through the ages all along. 
This may be our endless song : 

Praise to thy eternal merit. 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, 
Let us pray. 

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, 
who, of thine infinite love and good- 
ness toward us, hast given to us thy 
only and most dearly beloved Son 
Jesus Christ to be our Eedeemer, and 
the author of everlasting life; who, 
after he had made perfect our redemp- 
tion by his death, and was ascended 
into heaven, sent abroad into the world 
his apostles, prophets, evangelists, doc- 


248 OEDINATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 11. 

tors and pastors ; by whose labor and 
ministry he gathered together a great 
flock in all parts of the world, to set 
forth the eternal praise of thy holy 
name : for these so great benefits of thy 
eternal goodness, and for that thon hast 
vouchsafed to call these thy servants 
here present to the same office and min- 
istry appointed for the salvation of 
mankind, we render unto thee most 
hearty thanks: we praise and worship 
thee ; and we humbly beseech thee, by 
the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto 
all who either here or elsewhere call upon 
thy holy name, that we may continue 
to show ourselves thankful unto thee 
for these, and all other, thy benefits; 
and that we may daily increase and go 
forward in the knowledge and faith of 
thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit: 
so that as well by these thy ministers, 
as by them over whom they shall be 


249 


■5E0. 10.] ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 

appointed thy minister.®, thy nol' /vame 
may be forever jj;]ovitied, "ind thy 
blessed kingdom en I orged, through the 
same thy Son J^ov'^ Christ our Lord : 
who liveth and reigneth witli thee, in 
the unity of the same Holy Spirit, 
world without end. Amen. 

When this prayer is done, the Bishop and the elders 
present shall lay their hands severally upon the head 
of every one that receiveth the order of elders, the 
receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the 
Bishop saying, 

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy 
Ghost, for the office and work of an 
elder in the Church of God now com- 
mitted unto thee by the imposition of 
our hands. And be thou a faithful 
dispenser of the word of God. and of 
his holy sacraments : in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them, 
kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying, 


250 OEDINATION OF ELDERS. [Ch. 11. 

Take thou authority to preach the 
word of God, and to administer the 
lioly sacraments in the congregation. 

Then shall the Bishop say, 

Most merciful Father, we beseech 
thee to send upon these thy servants 
thy heavenly blessing ; that they may 
be clothed with righteousness, and that 
thy word spoken by their mouths may 
have such success, that it may never 
be spoken in vain. Grant also, that 
we may have grace to hear and receive 
what they shall deliver out of thy most 
holy word, or agreeable to the same, 
as the means of our salvation ; that 
in all our words and deeds we may 
seek thy glory, and the increase of 
thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, 
with thy most gracious favor, and fur- 
ther us with thy continual help ; that 


Sec. 10.] OEDINATIOi? of elders. 


25] 


in all our works, begun, continued, and 
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy 
name, and finally, by thy mercy, ob- 
tain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Benediction. 

The peace t)f God, which passeth all 
understanding, keep your hearts and 
minds in the knowledge and love of 
God, and of lus Son Jesus Christ our 
J;ord ; and the blessing of God Al- 
mighty, the Father, tlie Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain 
vvith you always. Amen. 

(f on the same day the order of deacons he gtvcn to 
some, and that of elders to others, the deacons shall 
be first presented, and then the elders. The Collects 
shall both be us&l : first that for deacons, then that 
for elders. The Epistle shall be Eph. iv. 7 to 13. as 
before in this ofiice. Immediately after ivh.ch, they 
that are to be ordained deacons shall be examined 
and ordained as is above prescribed. Then one of 
them having read the Gospel, which shall be St. .loan 
X. 1-16, as before in this office, they that are to h» 
ordained elders shall likewise be examined and or 
dained, as in this ofiice before appointed. 


253 


C023JJECEATI0N OF 


[Ch. 11. 


SECTION XI. 

THE FORM OF CONSECRATING A 
BISHOP. 

The Collect. 

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus 
Christ didst give to thy holy apostles 
many excellent gifts, and didst charge 
them to feed thy flock : give grace, we 
beseech thee, to all the ministers and 
pastors of thy Church, that they may 
diligently preach thy word, and duly 
administer the godly discipline thereof ; 
and grant to the people, that they may 
obediently follow the same; that all 
may receive the crown of everlasting 
glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Then shall be read by one of the elders 

The Epistle. Acts xx. 17-35. 

From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, 


Sec. 11.] 


A BISHOP. 


253 


and called the elders of the church. 
And when they were come to him, he 
said unto them, Ye know from the first 
day that I came into Asia, after w'hat 
manner I have been with you at all 
seasons, serving the Lord with all hu- 
mility of mind, and with many tears 
and temptations, which befell me by the 
laying in w'ait of the Jews: and how I 
kept back nothing that was profitable 
unto you, but have showed you, and 
have taught you publicly, and from 
house to house, testifying both to the 
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repent- 
ance toward God, and faith toward our 
Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, 
I go bound in the spirit unto Jeruai- 
lem, not knowing the things that shall 
befall me there : save that the Holy 
Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, 
that bonds and afflictions abide me. 
But none of these things move me, 


254 


CONSECRATION OF 


[Cn. 11. 


neither count I my life dear unto my- 
self, so that I might finish my course 
with joy, and the ministry which I 
have received of the Lord Jesus, to 
testify the gospel of the grace of God. 
And now, behold, I know that ye all, 
among whom I have gone preaching 
the kingdom of God, shall see my face 
no more. Wherefore I take you to 
record this day, that I am pure from 
the blood of all men. For I have not 
shunned to declare unto you all the 
counsel of God. Take heed, therefore, 
unto yourselves, and to all the flock 
over the which the Holy Ghost hath 
made you overseers, to feed the Church 
of God, which he hath purchased with 
his own blood. For I know tliis, that 
after my departing shall grievous wolves 
enter in among you, not sparing the 
flock. Also of your own selves shall 
men arise, speaking perverse things, to 


Sec. 11.] 


A BISHOP. 


265 


draw away disciples after them. There- 
fore watch, and remember, that by the 
space of three years I ceased not to 
warn every one night and day with 
tears. And now, brethren, I commend 
you to God, and to the word of his 
grace, which is able to bull'd you up, 
and to give you an inheritance among 
all them which are sanctified. I have 
coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or 
apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that 
these hands have ministered unto nw 
necessities, and to them that were Av*th 
me. I have showed you all things, 
how that so laboring ye ought to sup- 
port the weak, and to remember Hie 
words of the Lord Jesus, how he sp^id. 
It is more blessed to give than to re- 
ceive. 

Then another shall read 

The' Gospel. St. John xxi. 15-17. 

Jesus saith to. Simon Peter, Si^xia 


263 


CONSECRATIO?T OF 


[C^. 11. 


son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than 
these ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord : 
thou knowest that I love thee. He 
saith unto him. Feed my lambs. He 
saith to him again the second time, 
Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? 
He saith 'unto him. Yea, Lord: thou 
knowest that I love thee. He saith 
unto him. Feed my sheep. He saith 
unto him the third time, Simon son 
of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter was 
grieved because he said unto. him the 
third time, Lovest thou me? And he 
said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all 
things . thou knowest that I love thee. 
Jesus saith unto him. Feed my sheep. 

D 

Or this. St. Matt, xxviii. 18-20. 

Jesus came and spake unto them, 
saying. All power is given unto me in 
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore 
and teach all nations, baptizing them 


Sec. II.] 


A BISHOP. 


25t 


in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; teaching 
them to observe all things whatsoever 
I have commanded you ; and lo, I am 
with you ahvay, even unto the end of 
the wwld. 

After the Gospel and sermon are ended, the elcctea 
person shall be presented by two ciders unto the 
Bishop, saying, 

We present unto you this holy man, 
to be ordained a Bishop. 

Then the Bishop shall move the congregation present 
to pray, saying thus to them: 

Brethren, it is w'ritten in the Gospel 
of St. Luke, that our Saviour Christ 
continued the whole night in prayer, 
before he did choose and send forth his 
twelve apostles. It is written also in 
the Acts of the Apostles, that the dis- 
ciples w'ho w^ere at Antioch did fast 
and pray, before they laid hands on 
Paul and Barnabas, and sent them 
17 


258 


CONSECRATION OF 


[Ch. 11. 


forth. Let us, therefore, following the 
example of our Saviour Christ, and 
his apostles, first fall to prayer, before 
we admit and send forth this person 
presented unto us, to the work where- 
unto we trust the Holy Ghost hath 
called him. 

Then shall be said this prayer following : 

Almighty God, giver of all good 
things, who by thy Holy Spirit nast 
appointed divers orders of ministers in 
thy Church : mercifully behold this thy 
servant, now called to the work and 
ministry of a Bishop ; and replenish him 
so with the truth of thy doctrine, and 
adorn him with innocency of life, that, 
both by word and deed, he may faith- 
fully serve thee in this ofiice, to the 
glory of thy name, and the edifying 
and well-governing of thy Church, 
through the merits of our Saviour 
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reignetb 


Sec. 11.] 


A BISHOP. 


259 


with thee and the Holy Ghost, ^^orld 
without end. Amen. 

Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to be ordained : 

Brother, forasmuch as the Holy 
Scripture commands that we should 
not be hasty in laying on hands, and 
admitting any person to government 
in the Church of Christ, which he hath 
purchased with no less price than the 
effusion of his own blood ; before I 
admit you to this administration, I 
will examine you on certain articles, 
to the end that the congregation pres- 
ent may have a trial, and bear witness, 
how you are minded to behave your- 
self in the Church of God. 

Are you persuaded that you are 
truly called to this ministration, accord- 
ing to the will of our Lord Jesus 
Christ ? 

Ans. I am so persuaded. 

The Bishop. Are you persuaded that 


CONSECRATION OF 


[Ch. 11. 


the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently 
all doctrine required of necessity for 
eternal salvation, through faith in 
Jesus Christ? And are you deter* 
mined, out of the same Holy Scrip- 
tures, to instruct the people committed 
to your charge ; and to teach or main- 
tain nothing as required of necessity to 
eternal salvation, but that which you 
shall be persuaded may be concluded 
and proved by the same ? 

Ans. I am so persuaded, and deter- 
mined, by God’s grace. 

The Bishop. Will you then faith- 
fully exercise yourself in the same 
Holy Scriptures, and call upon God by 
prayer for the true understanding of 
the same, so as you may be able by 
them to teach and exhort with whole- 
some doctrine, and to withstand and 
convince the gainsayers ? 

Ans. I will so do, by the help of God. 


Sec. 11.] 


A BISHOP. 


2l3J 

The Bishop. Are you ready with 
faithful diligence to banish and drive 
away all erroneous and strange doc- 
trines contrary to God’s w'ord, and 
both privately and openly to call upon 
and encourage others to the same ? 

An.?. I am ready, the Lord being 
my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you deny all un- 
godliness and worldly lusts, and livo 
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this 
present world ; that you may show 
yourself in all things an example of 
good works unto others, that the ad- 
vei*sary may be ashamed, having noth- 
ing to say against you ? 

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being 
my helper. 

The Bishop. Will you maintain and 
set forward, as much as shall lie in 
you, quietness, love, and peace among 
all men ; and such as shall be unquiek 


262 


CONSECRATION OF 


[Ch. 11 


disobedient, and criminal, within your 
district, correct and punish according 
to such authority as you have by God’s 
word, and as shall be committed unto 
you? 

Ans. I will so do, by the help of 
God. 

The Bishop. Will you be faithful in 
ordaining, sending, or laying hands 
upon others? 

Ans. I will so be, by the help of 
God? 

The Bishop. Will you show yourself 
gentle, and be merciful, for Christ’s 
sake, to poor and needy people, and to 
all strangers destitute of help ? 

Ans. I will so show myself, by God’s 
help. 

Then the Bishop shall say, 

Almighty God, our Heavenly Fa- 
ther, who hath given you a good will 
to do all these things, grant also unto 


Sec. ll.j 


A BISHOP. 


263 


you strength and power to perform the 
same ; that, he accomplishing in you 
the good work wliich he hath begun, 
you may be found perfect and irrepre- 
hensible at the last day, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 


Then shall Veni. Creator, Spirilus he said : 

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, 
And lighten with celestial fire. 

Thou the anointing Spirit art, 

Who dost thy seven-fold giftsdmpart. 
Thy blessM unction from above 
Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 

Enable with perpetual light 
The didlness of our blinded sight 
Anoint and cheer our soiled face 
With the abundance of thy grace. 

Keep far our foes, give peace at home, 
Where thou art guide no ill can come. 
Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
And thee of both, to be but one. 


264 CONSECEATION OF [Ch. 11 

That through the ages all along, 

This may be our endless song : 

Praise to thy eternal merit, 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 

That ended, the Bishop shall say, 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

Ans. And let our cry come unto thee. 

Bishop. Let us pray. 

Almighty God and most merciful 
Father, who of thine infinite goodness 
hast given thine only and dearly be- 
loved Son Jesus Christ to be our Re- 
deemer, and the author of everlasting 
life; who, after that he had made per- 
fect our redemption by his death, and 
was ascended into heaven, poured down 
his gifts abundantly upon men, making 
some apostles, some prophets, some 
evangelists, some pastors and doctors, 
to the edifying and making perfect 
his Church : grant, we beseech thee, 
to this thy servant, such grace that 


A BISHOP. 


2G5 


Sec. 11.] 

he may evermore be ready to spread 
abroad thy gospel, the glad tidings of 
reconciliation with thee, and use the 
authority given him, not to destruction, 
but to salvation ; not to hurt, but to 
help ; so that as a wise and faithful 
servant, giving to thy family their por- 
tion in due season, he may at last be 
received into everlasting joy, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign- 
eth, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Then the Bishop and elders present shall lay their 
hands upon the head of the elected person, kneeling 
before them upon his knees, the Bishop saying. 

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy 
Ghost, for the office and work of a 
Bishop in the Church of God now 
committed unto thee by the imposition 
of our hands; in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. A.nd remember 


266 


CONSECEATION OF 


[Ch.1i 


that thou stir up the grace of God 
■‘.vhich is given thee ; for God hatli not 
given us the spirit of fear, but of 
power, and love, and soberness. 

Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying, 

Give heed unto reading, exhortation, 
and doctrine. Think upon the things 
contained in this book. Be diligent in 
them, that the increase coming thereby 
may be manifest unto all men. Take 
lieed unto thyself, and to thy doctrine; 
for by so doing thou shalt both save 
thyself and them that hear thee. Be 
to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not 
a wolf; feed them, devour them not. 
Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind 
up the broken, bring again the out- 
casts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, 
that you may not be too remiss ; so 
minister discipline, that you forget not 
mercy ; that when the chief Shepherd 
shall appear, you may receive the 


A BISHOP. 


267 


Bec. 11.] 

never-fading crown of glory, through 
Je.sus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Immediately befdre the benediction shall be said the 
following prayers : 

Most merciful Father, we beseech 
thee to send down upon this thy serv- 
ant thy heavenly blessing ; and so endue 
him with thy Holy Spirit, that he, 
preaching thy word, may not only be 
earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke 
with all patience and doctrine, but may 
also be to such as believe a wholesome 
example, in word, in conversation, in 
love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity ; 
that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at 
the latter day he may receive the 
crown of righteousness laid up by the 
Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth 
and reigneth, one God with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost, world without 
end. Amen. 

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings 


268 


CONSECRATION OF A BISHOP. 


with thy most gracious favor, and fur 
ther us with thy continual help; that 
in all our works, begun, continued, 
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy 
holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, 
obtain everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen, 

The Benediction. 

The peace of God, which passeth all 
inderstanding, keep your hearts and 
minds in the knowledge and love of 
God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord; and the blessing of God Al- 
mighty, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, be among you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen» 


APPENDIX, 


Constitution of the G-eneral Con* 
TERENCE Missionary Board. 


Article I. The Board shall consist of 
a President, Vice-President, a Secretary, 
^ Treasurer, and three Managers. They 
shall all be members of the Colored M. 
E. Church in America, and shall be 
elected quadrennially by the General 
Conference, except the Treasurer, who 
shall be elected by the Board. When, 
from any cause, the General Conference 
shall fail to meet at the appointed time, 
the Board shall continue in office until 
the next meeting of the General Con- 
ference. The Bishops shall be ex officio 
members of the Board. 


^ 269 ) 


270 


APPENDIX. 


Art. II. The Board shall have au- 
thority to make by-lav7S for regulating 
its own proceedings ; to appropriate 
money to defray incidental expenses; to 
provide for the support of superannuated 
missionaries, and wddows and orphans 
of missionaries, who may not be pro- 
vided for by any Annual Conference; to 
print books for the Foreign missions; to 
build houses of worship, school-houses, 
residences for the missionaries, and de- 
fray all other necessary expenses incident 
to the work under its care The Board 
shall also publish, annually, a statement 
of its transactions and funds, and lay 
before the General Conference a report 
of all its transactions, and a statement 
of its funds up to some convenient day 
near, and prior to, the time of holding 
the General Conference. 

Art. III. The Board shall meet an- 
nually, to make appropriations for the 
ensuing year; determine what fields 
shall be occupied as Foreign missions; 
the number of persons to be employed 


APPE^•DIX. 


271 


in each; estimate the sums necessary 
for the support of each mission; fix the 
amount which may be drawn for dur- 
ing the year, and the division of said 
amount between the Foreign and Do- 
mestic missions. 

Art. IV. The sums allowed for the 
support of missionaries shall be suffi- 
cient to support them in their work. The 
Board shall require communications to 
be made quarterly by each missionary, 
or from each mission, to the Secretary, 
giving information of the state and pros- 
pects of the missions in which they are 
employed. No one shall be acknowl- 
edged as a missionary, or receive support 
from the Board, who has not some defi- 
nite work assigned him, or who could 
not be an effective laborer on a circuit, 
except as is provided for in Article II. 

Art. V. The revenue of the Board 
shall be derived as follows: From an- 
nual collections in every congregation, 
at such time and in such manner as each 
Annual Conference shall direct; from 


APPENDIX. 


special collections made by the Secre- 
tary; and from donations and legacies. 

Art. VI. The Secretary shall reside 
at the place where the Board is located, 
but may be a member of any Annual 
Conference. It shall be the duty of the 
Secretary to journalize the proceedings 
of the Board; to conduct its correspond- 
ence; to give information to the mission- 
aries; to publish in the Church papers 
an abstract of the proceedings of the 
Board; to attend to all business which 
the Board may have with the Govern- 
ment of the United States; to prepare 
the annual report of the Board; and, so 
far as these duties may permit, to visit 
the Annual Conferences, and the missions 
under the care of the Board, with a view 
to promote the interests of the mission- 
ary cause. The salary of the Secretary 
shall be fixed by the Board, and the 
Board may employ such clerical assist- 
ance as may be necessary. 

Art. VII. The Treasurer shall hold 
all the funds of the Board in safe de- 


APPE!?DrX. 


273 


posit, which deposit shall be made by 
him as an officer of the Board, subject 
to his drafts as such, and to those of his 
successors in office. He shall also furnish 
an annual report, to be published with 
the report of the Secretary. 

Art. VIII. In case of vacancy, occa- 
sioned by death, resignation, or other- 
wise, in the Board, such vacancy shall 
be filled by the Board, until the ensuing 
General Conference. 

Art. IX. Three members at an an- 
nual meeting of the Board, and two 
members at a called meeting, shall con- 
stitute a quorum. 

Art. X. (1) It shall be the duty of 
each Annual Conference to organize a 
Conference Board of Missions, which 
shall appoint its own officers, and regu- 
late its own administration, subject to 
the provisions of this Constitution. Each 
Conference Board shall pay into the 
treasury of the General Missionary 
Board twenty per cen''. of all the 
moneys collected within its bounds for 
18 


274 


APPENDIX. 


missionary purposes; the remaining sev 
enty-five per cent may be appropriated, 
by the Annual Conference Board and 
the Bishop presiding, to missions within 
its bounds. Any money not so appro- 
priated shall be forwarded to the general 
treasury. (2) Each Annual Conference 
shall designate the time and manner in 
which collections for missions shall be 
taken up within its bounds. (3) It shall 
be the duty of each Presiding Elder to 
bring the subject of missions before the 
District Conference, and also before the 
Quarterly Conference of each circuit and 
station within his District. 

Art. XI. This Board shall be located 
in Memphis, Tenn. 


How THE Bishops are to be 
Supported. 

1. The Bishops’ salary shall be esti- 
mated at fifteen hundred dollars per 
annum, including traveling expenses. 

2. It shall be paid according to the fol- 


APPENDIX. 


275 


lowing plan : The entire membership is 
hereby assessed to pay ten cents a mem- 
ber per annum for the support of the 
Bishops’ Fund. 

3. It shall be collected and paid ac- 
cording to the following plan: It shall 
be the duty of the Joint Board of Fi- 
nance, in each Annual Conference, to 
make the apportionment according to 
the members reported to each Annual 
Conference. 

4. The preacher in charge of circuits 
and stations shall collect the amount 
assessed, according to the following plan, 
to wit : He shall collect and pay one- 
fourth of the assessment during the first 
quarter of the Conference - year ; and 
should he fail to raise the required 
amount, a public collection shall be 
made once a year in each congregation 
to make up the deficiency. 

5. The preachers in charge shall be 
held accountable to the Annual Confer- 
ence for the faithful performance of duty 
in collecting the Bishops’ Fund; and no 


276 


APPENDIX. 


preacher shall be held blameless, in the 
examination of character, if he has failed^ 
to collect the Bishops’ Fund. 

6. It shall be the duty of the Presid- 
ing Elders to give attention, at the Quar- 
terly Conferences, in inquiring whether 
the preachers have performed their du- 
ties in this matter. 

7. It shall be left with the College of 
Bishops to arrange among themselves 
the division of the Bishops’ Fund. 

8. The said assessment shall be raised 
and paid to the Bishop presiding, quar- 
terly, and a receipt taken for the same. 


INDEX 


Abstinence, 31, 77. 

Admission of ministers, 74, 79, of members, 103, 
104. 

Agents, Book, 62. 

Agents for Bible Society, Sunday-schools, literary 
institutions, 62, 63. 

Almsgiving enjoined, 25, 29. 

Annual Conferences — who attend, 38-40 ; who ap- 
point the number, boundaries, place, and time, 
40, 41; who preside in, 41, 61; method of busH 
41, 47 ; appeals of, 64. 

App1?!ftl, rule on, 28. 

Appeals, right of, guaranteed, 37 ; of members, 51, 
135, 140-142; of Annual Conferences, 64; of 
Quarterly Conferences, 67, 68; of traveling 
preachers, 124, 136-138; of local preachers, 129, 
138-140. 

Arbitrations, 98, 133-135. 

Articles of Religion, 9-26 ; cannot be change.d, 36. 

Baptism, article on, 20; ministration of, to infants, 
177-182 ; to adults, 182-190. 

Baptisms to be recorded, 43, 72. 

Baptized children, 43, 104, 105. 


( 277 ) 


278 


INDEX. 


BenedicUon, apostolic to be used, 108. 

Biblo-classes, 106. 

Bible, only rule of faith and practice, 11, 31, 243, 259, 
260. 

Bible Society, American, 62. 

bishops — election, consecration, and duty, 60-66; 
trial, 115-117 ; ceasing to travel, 117 ; support of, 
146-148; form of ordaining, 252-268. 

Body of Christ, how eaten in the Lord’s Sup- 
per, 21. 

Book Agents, 62. 

Book Editor, 47. 

Books and periodicals, circulation of, 71, 72. 

Books, reading of, 28. 

Both Kinds in the Lord’s Supper, article on, 21, 22 
Building churches and parsonages. If 3-157. n 
Burial of the dead, order of, 201-212. 

Call to the ministry, 59, 60. 

Candidates for the ministry, studies of, 46, 69, 76, 
79, 81. 

Canonical books, 11, 12. 

Catechisms to be used, 105. 

Ceremonies, article on, 23, 24. 

Certificate of membership, 73, 74. 

Chaplaincies, provision for, 62. 

Children, instruction of, 51, 54, 68, 77, 104-106, 113- 
115. 

Christian man’s oath, article on, 26. 

Christian men’s goods, article on, 25. < 

Church, article on the, 17. 

Church Conferences, 55-59. 


riTDEX. 


279 


Churches and parsonages, ouilding, 46, 153-157 ; se- 
curing. 46, 158-163. 

Churcli, laying the corner-stone of a, 213-216; ded- 
ication of, 220-226. 

Church-membership, how secured, 103, 104, 191- 
196; liovv forfeited, 31, 32, 129-135, 140-142. 

Circuits, stations, and missions, union and division 
of, 65, 66 ; duties of those who have charge of, 
70-74. 

Class-meetings, 78, 94-96. 

Class-leaders, 70, 94-96. 

Collections, class, 95, 96; public, 72, 73. 

Community of goods, not enjoined, 25. 

Complaints and appeals, 51. 

Conference, General, 32-38 ; Annual, 38-47 ; District, 
47-50; Quarterly, 50-59; Church, 55-59. See 
Annual Conferences, Church Conferences, Dis- 
trict Conferences, General Conference, and 
Quarterly Conferences. 

Conference records, 46, 47, 48, 53, 56. 

Confirmation not a sacrament, 19. 

Corner-stone, form of laying a, 213-216. 

Course of study, 46, 69, 75, 79, 81. 

Credentials of expelled ministers, 142, 143. 

Cross-bearing, 30. 

Cup of the Lord, 21, 22. 

Deacons — election, ordination, duty, and probation 
of traveling, 79, 80; local, 86; form of ordaining, 
227-234. 

Decisions, Episcopal, 63-65. 

Dedication of a church, form of, 220-226. 




280 


INPEX. 


Deed of Hettlement, 153-163, 

Deprivation and restoration of credentials, 142, 143 , 
Diligence, 30, 77, 78. 

Directions to preachers, 77, 78. 

Directory, pastoral, to be kept, 71,72. 
disputes, how to be settled, 133-135. 
district Conferences, 47-50. 

Districts, 63-69.'^ 

District stewards, 100. 

Diversions, rule on, 28. 

Division, transfer or sale of Church-property, 155- 
158. 

Doctrines of the Church, 9-26; contrary ones not 
to be disseminated, 122, 128, 133. 

Dress, directions concerning, 28. 

Drunkenness, general rule on, 27. ( 

Editors, 47, 62. 

Elders — election, ordination, and duty of traveling, 
81, 82; form of ordaining, 235-251. 

Enthusiasm denounced, 29. 

Episcopacy, how guarded, 37. 

Episcopal decisions, 63-65. 

Evil-speaking denounced, 28. 

Examination of preachers, 44, 45, 74-82. 

Exhorters, license and labors of, 52-54, 92-94 ; cer* 
tificate of removal, 94. 

Extreme unction, not a sacrament, 19. 

Family and private prayer, 31. 

Fasting, 31, 70, 77. 

Fighting, general rule concerning, 27. 


INDEX. 


2S1 


Finance, Joint Board of, 100, 149-152. 

Free seats in churches, 153, 154. 

Free-will, article on, 14. 

Frugality, 30. 

General Conference — members, regulations, pow- 
ers, 32-38. 

General Rules, 26-32; how guarded, 37; to be 
road, 70. 

Good works, article on, 15. 

Government, civil, duty to, 24, 25. 

Grace, means of, 31. 

Holy Ghost, article on the, 11. 

Holy Scriptures, article on the, 11, 12. 

Honesty, 28, 29.r.., 

Image-worship, unseriptural, 17. 

Incarnation, article on, 10. 

Indian missions, 62. 

Institutions of learning, provisions concerning, 
46, 62. 

Itinerancy, how guarded, 37. 

Joint Board of Finance, 100, 149-152. 

Journals of Conferences, 46, 47, 48, 53, 56. 
Justification, article on, 14, 15; sin after, 16, 17. 

Laying the corner-sione of a church, form of, 213- 
219. 

Law question-s, how decided, 63-66, 67, 68. 

Lawsuits, rule concerning, 27. 

Lay representatives. 32. 33. 39. 


282 


INDEX. 


Leaders of classes, 70, 94-96. 

Lessons, Church, 107. 

Literary institutions, 46, 62. 

Local preachers, orders, 42, 52, 54, 86, 87 ; trial, 51, 
125-129; license and examination, 52, 54, 59, 60, 
84-86 ; labors, 87, 88 ; certificate of removal, 89 ; 
unacceptable or inefficient, 128, 129; appeal, 
129, 138-140; credentials, of expelled, 143, 144. 

Ijocated preachers, 88. * 

Lord’s day not to be profaned, 27. 

Lord’s Prayer in public worship, 108. 

Lord’s Supper, article on, 20, 21; rules on, 31, 107, 
108; order for administration, 163-176. 

Love-feasts, 110, 111. 

Marriage of ministers, article on, 22, 23. , 

Marriages, to be recorded, 72. 

Classes denounced, 22. 

Matrimony not a sacrament, 19 ; form of solem- 
nizing, 196-202. 

Meditation, 78. 

Members — trial, 37, 129-135 ; appeal. 37, 135, 140-142; 
removal, 73, 74; reception, 103, 104, 191-196. 

Ministers of other Churches, how received, 89-92. 

Ministers. See Preachers. ' 

Ministry, attendance on the, 31; support of, 144-148 

Minutes of Conferences, 46, 47, 48, 53, 56. 

Missionaries, provisions concerning, 62, 76, 80. 

Missionary Board, 62. 

Missionary collections, 44. 

Money, love of, denounced, 28. 

Oath of a Christian man 26. 


Obedience to civil rulers, 24, 25. 

Oblation of Christ, article on, 22. 

Old Testament, article on, 12, 13. 

Orders not a sacrament, 19. 

Ordinances to be observed, 31; forms to be used in 
administering, 108. 

Ordination of ministers, 61, 63, 79-82. 

Ordinations to be recorded, 63. 

Original sin, article on, 13, 14. 

Orphans and widows of ministers, provisions fo!» 
43, 150. 

Parental duties, 31, 104. 

Parsonages, 46. 

Pastoral visiting, 71, 72, 77, 78, 230, 231. 

Pelagianism opposed, 13, 14. 

Penance not a sacrament, 19. 

Periodicals, 71, 72. 

Poor, collections for, 95. 

Prayer, family, private, public, 31. 78, 107-110. 
Prayer-meetings, 109, 110. 

Preachers in charge, 70-74. 

Preachers, local. See Local Preachers. 

Preachers of other Churches, how received, 89-92. 
Preachers, traveling. See Traveling Preachers. 
Presiding Elders — appointment and duty, 63, G6-68, 
257 ; trial, 118, 119; support, 145, 14G. 

Preventing grace, 14. 

Probationers in the ministry, 74, 75, 124, 125. 

Public worship enjoined, 31 ; how to be conducted, 
106-109. 

Punctuality, 78. 


284 


INtiEX. 


Purgatory, article on, 17. 

Quarterly Conferences, how composed, 50; when 
and where held, 50, 51; who presides in, 51, 67 ; 
business of, 51-55, 74, 75, 85-93, 90-102, 11.3, 114, 
125-129, 134, 135, 139-144 ; appeals of, 67, 68. 

Ratio of representation in the General Conference, 
32-36. 

Reading and singing, rule on, 28. 

Reading the Scriptures, 31. 

Reception of ministers, 74-79; of members, 103, 
104, 191-196. 

Recognition of Church-members, 191-106. 
Registers, Church, 72. 

Relics not to be adored, 17. 

Reproving sin, 29. 

Restrictions of the General Conference, .35-38. 
Resurrection of Christ, article on, 10. 

Rites and ceremonies, article on, 23. 

Ritual to be used, 108. 

Rulers of the United States, article on, 24, 25. 
Rules, General, 26-32; how guarded, 37; to b« 
read, 70. 

Sabbath -breaking, general rule against, 27. 
Sacraments, article on the, 18-20. 

Saints not to be invoked, 17. 

Scripture, duty of searching, 31. 

Scriptures, canonical, article on the, 11, 12. 
Securing churches and parsonages, 158-163. 
Self-denial and taking up the cross, 30. 
Belf-indulgenco forbidden, 28. 


INDEX. 


285 


Seminaries, provisions for, 46, 62. 
fiick, visiting the, 78, 97, 230, 231. 

Sin after justification, article on, 16, 17. 

Singing, directions concerning, 106-109. 

Sin, original, article on, 13, 14. 

Slander denounced, 28. 

Songs, general rule concerning improper, 28. 
Spirituous liquors, rules concerning, 27. 

Statistics, 69, 71, 72. 

Stewards, District, 100. 

Stewards, Recording, 100. 

Stewards of circuits, stations, and missions, 90-tt&, 
Study, Course of, 46, 69, 75,79, 81. 

Sunday-school Agent, 114. 

Sunday-school reports, 43, 57, 73, 113, 114. 
Sunday-schools, 43, 73, 113-115. 

Superannuated preachers, 43, 62, 84, 150. 
Supererogation, works of, article on, 15. 
Superintendents of Sunday-schools, 50. 
Supernumerary preachers, 42, 62, 83. 

Support of the ministry, 144-148. 

Swearing, profane and rash, denounced, 26, 27 

Temperance, 27. 

Time, employing profitably, 77, 78. 

Tongues, speaking in unknown, article on, 18. 
Tracts, 63, 68, 72, 73. 

Transubstantiation opposed, 21. 

Traveling preachers — duties, 39, 40,70-83, 1 4-115: 
on trial, 41, 74-76, 124, 125 ; examination of, 44, 
45, 74-82; how apjiointed, 61-63, 67, 69; admis- 
sion of, 74-79; directions to, 77, 78; ceasing to 


286 


INDEX. 


travel, 88 ; trial, 117-126 ; appeal, 124, 136-138,* 
unacceptable, located, 122,123; credentials ol 
expelled, 142, 143; support of, 144-152. 

Trial of those who think they should preach, 69, 
’60 ; preachers on trial, how tried, 124, 125. 

Trials, Church — right of, guarded, 37; a Bishop, 
115-117; a traveling preacher, 117-125 ; a loca. 
preacher, 125-129 ; a member, 129-135. 

Trinity, article on the, 9. 

Trustees, 55, 101, 102. 

Tunes, directions concerning, 108, 109. 

Unacceptable preachers, 122,123. 

Usury, general rule on, 28. 

Veto, constitutional, 38. 

Visiting from house to house, 77, 78, 230, 231 T the 
sick, 77, 230, 231. 

Widows and orphans of preachers, provision for, 43. 

Word, or Son of God, article on, 10. 

Works of supererogation, article on, 15, 16. 

Worldly-niindedness denounced, 28. 

Worship, public, duty to attend, 31; how to be co© 
ducted, 106-109. 


Zeal, enjoined, 80, 77» 7S. 


COURSE OF STUDY OF TRAVELl^^G 
PREACHERS, REVISED. 


First Year. — Discipline; Webster’s 
Dictionary; Hymn-book; Theological 
Compend; the four Gospels, and Wes- 
ley’s Sermons, Vol. I. 

Second Year. — The Discipline -vvitli 
reference to McTyeire’s Manual; Geog- 
raphy; Acts of the Apostles and the 
Epistles with reference to the Theologi- 
cal Compend; Wesley’s Sermons, Vol. 
II. ; Catechism and Bible History of the 
Colored M. E. Church in America; 
Written Essay on Repentance. 

Third Year. — Rhetoric; Wesley’s Ser- 
mons, Vol. III.; the Bible in general 
with reference to Watson’s Dictionary; 
Written Sermon on Justification by 
Faith; Discipline reviewed. q 

Fourth Year. — Logic and Bible with 
reference to Watson’s Dictionary; Wes- 
ley’s Sermons, Vol. IV.; Ralston’s Ele- 
ments of Divinity ; Ruter’s Church 
History; Written Sermon on the Wit- 
ness of the Spirit. 


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